Astrophysicist and Wiradjuri woman, Dr Kirsten Banks will be in conversation with Brian Schmidt on her new book Lost in Space: Curiously Cosmic Stories, a compelling journey through our spectacular universe with a renowned science communicator and a fresh dynamic voice who makes the cosmos exciting, accessible and fun for everyone.

This is a book of curiosity and wonder. It's about some of the weirdest, wildest and most wonderful ideas in space science. Discover planets that are darker than charcoal, mysteries that make us go "Wow!", objects that wander into our solar system from the depths of interstellar space, the dark emu constellation, moon missions across the generations - from Apollo to Artemis, five places to keep off your intergalactic holiday wish list, the time the sun burped and took out the telegraphs, First Nation names for the moon, Mercury's salty secret ...and so much more.

'I hope this book reminds you that curiosity is powerful. You don't need to be a scientist to ask big questions about the Universe. You just need the courage to wonder.' Kirsten Banks

Dr Kirsten Banks, who completed a PhD in astrophysics at UNSW in 2024, is a lecturer in the School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies at Swinburne University of Technology and a science communicator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav). Her work focuses on engaging diverse audiences using innovative approaches such as social media, where she has 500,000 followers, public lectures, and multimedia storytelling.

Professor Brian Schmidt AC FAA FRS is Distinguished Professor of Astronomy at the Australian National University and co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, The United States Academy of Science, and the Royal Society. He served as the 12th Vice-Chancellor and President of ANU from January 2016 to January 2024. Brian actively commentates on the intersection of academic expertise and society.

The vote of thanks will be given by Dr Bobby Cerini, Deputy Director and General Manager of Science and Learning at Questacon.

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event.

Additional information:

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

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