What’s it like to be an astronomer at NASA?
10 June 2025 - 18 June 2025
Region(s): Auckland, Wellington
Type(s): presentations
In this free talk, Dr Michelle Thaller will be sharing some of her favourite space stories, careers in space, women in STEM and working at NASA. Find out how the universe is coursing through your veins, how it wound up in your DNA, and why your next breath is literally as vast as a galaxy.
Dr Thaller has 28 years of experience at NASA, working most recently as Assistant Director of Science for Communications at NASA’s largest base, the Goddard Space Flight Center in Washington DC. Many people will have heard her on live NASA broadcasts, such as the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope – the largest telescope in space. She has appeared regularly on television, radio, and online to demystify science.
The Royal Society Te Apārangi and the International Science Festival are delighted to welcome Dr Thaller to Aotearoa New Zealand, and invite you to come along if you have an interest in space, astronomy, or how science can help us to solve challenges.
Talk series
6–7 pm Wed 18 June, 2025: Royal Society Te Apārangi, 11 Turnbull St, Thorndon, Wellington
Join the now waitlist for your chance to hear Michelle's talk at and please cancel your ticket if you can no longer make it.
Previous sessions:
6–7 pm, Tue 10 June: Clouston Hall, St Cuthberts College, Market Road, Epsom, Auckland
2–3 pm Wed 18 June: Royal Society Te Apārangi, 11 Turnbull St, Thorndon, Wellington
Related content
Space revealed - introduction and Aotearoa New Zealand in space - an introduction contain links to a lot of our astronomy content.
Find out about events from the discovery of Uranus to the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope in History of planet hunting – timeline.
Useful link
Dr Michelle Thaller's page at NASA has biographical information and personal facts about the scientist.
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