On Wednesday a live stream will take viewers behind space exploration, giving them the opportunity to learn about space from the comfort of their homes with Space: the not so Final Frontier bringing experts together with the continuation of the Guelph Physics live stream autumn series.
Hosted by Jason Thomas (better known as Orbax), a production specialist in U of G’s physics department, the virtual event will feature guests Scott VanBommel, a former Guelph physics grad who was shortlisted as a Canadian Space Agency astronaut prospect and Guelph resident Kate Howells who is the communications strategy and Canadian space policy adviser of The Planetary Society.
“The nice thing about when we do these live streams is we chat with them about what got them into science, what gets them excited about science and science communication, but we also take questions from the audience so we can do a live Q&A,” said Thomas.
Graduating from the University of Guelph with his Ph.D. in 2017, the application of physics fundamentals to planetary science problems has taken VaBommel off the southern edge of Google maps in search of space rocks, to Mars as part of multiple rover missions, and nearly above the Karman line as a short listed astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency.
Based in Guelph, Howells works to engage The Planetary Society's myriad audiences in the adventure of space exploration.
As the Canadian space policy advisor, she guides The Planetary Society's positions on space policy and advocacy in Canada and connects Canadian Planetary Society members with opportunities to advocate for Canadian space science and exploration programs.
She is also the author of Space Is Cool As F*** and a science columnist for The Editorial Magazine
“People are always excited about it (space). It’s something everybody always wants to learn more about, and we find the community always supports our streams about space,” said Thomas.
The live stream will go live on Oct. 20 at 7:00 p.m. and can be found by visiting here.
