Retired NASA astronaut Marsha Ivins says going into space has taught her that people on Earth are all the same.
Ms Ivins, who has spent 55 days in space, will be a special guest at the AstroLight Festival at Scienceworks on Saturday.
She said travelling the world speaking about human space flight had changed her perception of people.
“I find that no matter what country I go to, or what language, or what religion, or what nationality, people laugh at the same things and they ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ at the same things,” she said. “You know, people are the same no matter where you put them on the planet, and I think that’s a very important lesson.”
Ms Ivins is in Australia to promote the seventh IMAX space film,
A Beautiful Planet, in 3D. “It takes a big look at the earth and the human footprint that we’ve not necessarily been kind to our earth in planting.”
The AstroLight Festival will also feature panel sessions with experts discussing topics from dark matter to Indigenous astronomy and how light messes with our circadian rhythms.
There will also be art installations, Planetarium and Lightning Room shows, and a laser maze. The festival is from 6-10pm, with entry $20 for adults and $10 for children; booking is required.
To view the program, visit museumvictoria.com.au/astrolight
