Astrophysicist and Wiradjuri woman Dr Kirsten Banks invites readers to rediscover the wonder of the universe in her new book, Lost in Space: Curiously Cosmic Stories, a fascinating journey through some of the most extraordinary discoveries and mysteries in space science.

Blending scientific knowledge with curiosity, humour and accessible storytelling, Kirsten explores the weird, wild and wonderful phenomena that make our universe so captivating.

From planets darker than charcoal and mysterious objects travelling through our solar system to the Sun’s powerful eruptions and the secrets of Mercury, the book reveals just how extraordinary our cosmic neighbourhood can be.

The book also explores the connections between astronomy, culture and history, including First Nations names for the Moon, the Dark Emu constellation and humanity’s evolving journey into space, from the Apollo missions to the Artemis program.

A passionate science communicator, Kirsten has spent the past decade making complex scientific ideas engaging and accessible to diverse audiences. She holds a PhD in astrophysics from UNSW and lectures at Swinburne University of Technology, while also working with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav).

At its heart, Lost in Space is an invitation to ask questions, embrace curiosity and look at the universe with fresh eyes. Kirsten reminds us that you don’t need to be a scientist to explore the biggest questions about our place in the cosmos — just the courage to wonder.

You can follow Dr Kirsten Banks as @astrokirsten on Instagram.