{"title":"Aomawa Shields","description":"\u003cp\u003eAomawa Shields is a distinguished author and astrophysicist whose work bridges the realms of science and personal narrative. Her insightful collection offers a unique perspective on the profound question of life beyond Earth. Shields expertly weaves her scientific expertise with personal anecdotes, making complex astronomical ideas both accessible and fascinating for readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn her compelling book, \u003cem\u003eLife on Other Planets\u003c\/em\u003e, Shields invites readers on an enlightening journey through the cosmos, exploring the possibilities of extraterrestrial existence. Her engaging storytelling not only illuminates the wonders of the universe but also provides a relatable glimpse into her own encounters and experiences as a scientist and thought leader.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis category of Biography \u0026amp; Memoir is perfect for those keen to explore the intersection of science and personal exploration, offering a deeply human perspective on cosmic phenomena. Delve into Aomawa Shields’ writings to experience a masterful blend of astrological insights and heartfelt storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"life-on-other-planets-by-aomawa-shields-9781408715284","title":"Life on Other Planets","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a child, Aomawa Shields' first great love was the sky. She would bump into things on the ground because her neck was always craned upward, and she longed to become an astronaut. Determined to make her dream a reality, Aomawa applied for and attended an elite high school with an astronomy observatory, graduated with a degree in astrophysics from MIT, and began studying for a PhD. But one year into her studies, a white male professor recommended that she consider other careers. Was he saying this because of her aptitude, or because there were no other astrophysicists who looked like her? Struggling with her own doubts about whether she'd chosen the right path, she left academia to become an actor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter acting professionally for a decade in Los Angeles, temping to pay the bills, Aomawa took a day job at NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and realised she missed the stars and planets. She applied again to grad school and became the oldest and only Black student in her PhD cohort at the University of Washington. This time, no professor, and no voice in her own head, would stop her from getting her degree. She finished acclaimed research about the ice on other planets, and the weather in other worlds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStars shine in many colours: there are yellow stars like our Sun, fast-burning blue stars, and red dwarf stars. Aomawa's research has studied these red dwarfs in particular, which are especially abundant in our own Milky Way galaxy, and which may be more likely to harbour planets that support life. There are as many ways life could thrive in another world as there are ways life could be crushed—or never develop at all. If life existed in a red dwarf system, it would thrive differently from life in the world that we know. But the universe is a very big place. There is room for us all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eLife on Other Planets\u003c\/i\u003e by Aomawa Shields tells the story of her journey, her doubts, and her reinvigorated passion for astrophysics, highlighting the inclusivity and possibility inherent in the universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46844410331372,"sku":"9781408715284","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/046b88867e8c9a2994ea4e75f180f5a1.jpg?v=1758843165"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/aomawa-shields.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}