Life on Other Planets: A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe

Aomawa Shields was the oldest and only Black student in her PhD cohort. She left astronomy and pursued acting professionally for a decade before a day job working for NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope drew her back to the stars. Now an astronomer and astrobiologist at the top of her field, she studies the universe outside our solar system, researching and uncovering the planets circling distant stars with just the right conditions that could support life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

As a child, Aomawa Shields had a penchant for stumbling into things, her neck perpetually craned towards the sky, consumed by dreams of becoming an astronaut. A mere year into her pursuit of a Ph.D. in astrophysics, plagued by self-doubt and discouraged by a white male professor who insinuated that she, a young Black woman who also cherished fashion, makeup, and the arts, didn't belong in the field, she abandoned her astronomical aspirations and ventured into the world of acting professionally for a decade. However, a day job working for NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope eventually brought her back to the celestial realm. This time, no professor, and no internal voice would hinder her pursuit.

Now an astronomer and astrobiologist at the forefront of her field, Dr. Shields delves into the universe beyond our solar system, conducting research to identify planets circling distant stars that possess the ideal conditions for supporting life. However, the path she has traversed has been as intricate and winding as the physics she has mastered.

Life on Other Planets is a captivating journey of discovery, encompassing both this world and others. It tells the story of crafting a life that embraces joy, love, and wonder while being propelled by one of our most profound questions: Is there anyone else out there? It explores the possibility of living between multiple worlds and forging a new path entirely, one that defies traditional choices.

Dr. Shields' journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Despite facing obstacles and doubts, she never lost sight of her passion for astronomy. Her unwavering commitment to her dreams has led her to achieve remarkable accomplishments, making her a trailblazer in her field.

Through her research and exploration, Dr. Shields has contributed to our understanding of the universe and the potential for life beyond our planet. Her work has ignited a sense of wonder and curiosity, inspiring generations to dream big and explore the vastness of the cosmos.

As we continue to seek answers to the mysteries of the universe, stories like Dr. Shields' remind us of the endless possibilities that exist beyond our immediate surroundings. It is a call to embrace diversity, challenge assumptions, and push the boundaries of what we know and what we can achieve.

In conclusion, Life on Other Planets is a captivating tale of discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. It reminds us that the universe is vast and full of wonder, and that our dreams can take us to places we never thought possible. Through the journey of Dr. Shields, we are inspired to embrace our passions, pursue our dreams, and explore the unknown, knowing that the universe has endless possibilities waiting to be discovered.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 163 x 245 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781408715277