Lost in Space

'A delightful peek inside Dr Kirsten's curious mind and the wonders of the universe.' DR KARL

A book of curiosity and wonder 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.

A compelling journey through our spectacular universe with astrophysicist and Wiradjuri woman Dr Kirsten Banks, a renowned science communicator who makes the cosmos exciting, accessible and fun for everyone.

'You don't need to be a scientist to ask big questions about the Universe. You just need the courage to wonder.'

About the Author

Dr Kirsten Banks is a Wiradjuri woman, astrophysicist, and renowned science communicator who has spent the last decade making the cosmos exciting, accessible, and fun for everyone. Through digital and traditional media, she breaks down complex concepts and highlights the wonder of the universe, one story at a time.

She is a lecturer within 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, public lectures, and multimedia storytelling.

She completed a PhD in astrophysics at UNSW in 2024.