Robert Gendler is a renowned American physician, amateur astronomer, and astrophotographer, who has made significant contributions to digital astrophotography as both a pioneer and a respected artist. Using CCD cameras and long exposure times, Gendler captures deep sky objects, with his photographs regularly published in astronomy magazines and websites.

His Andromeda Galaxy mosaic was acknowledged by Astronomy Magazine as one of the most beautiful astronomical images and was featured in the 2008 Guinness Book of Records. Gendler's photographs have also been commemorated in stamps, documentaries, and award ceremonies. He has collaborated with the Hubble Heritage Team and received several prestigious awards, including the Hubble Prize and the Royal Photographic Society Award for Scientific Imaging.

Gendler has written five books on astrophotography and astronomical imaging, one of which, "Breakthrough!", was selected as an "Outstanding Academic Title" by the American Library Association's "Choice" magazine.