Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark

(Hardback)

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In a beautifully written, science-packed debut memoir, Egyptian-American astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance shares her personal story of resilience and liberation by grounding herself in her lifelong love of the stars. As a child, Sarafina El-Badry Nance spent nearly every evening with her father gazing up at the flickering stars and pondering what secrets the night sky held. She dreamt of becoming an astronomer from the age of five, but it wasn't long before she was told, both explicitly and implicitly, that girls just weren't cut out for math and science. In Starstruck, Sarafina captures the wonders of the universe and traces more earthbound obstacles-of misogyny and racism, abuse and intergenerational trauma, anxiety and self-doubt, cancer diagnoses and recovery-she faced along the way. The strategies and mindset Sarafina developed to thrive in a space that is, by design, not for women and especially not for women of color, are not only applicable to her career in astrophysics but directly carry over into other areas of life. Honest and empowering, Starstruck sits at the intersection of the study of our cosmos-itself constantly changing-and the messy and transformative experience of pursuing one's passion through life's inevitable challenges.

Reviews

Thanks to Nances genius for clear explanations, I understand how, with pressure and time, suns are created. How fitting, then, to be learning of Nances own journey: the dark pressures of childhood, the molten hot passion for science, and the way these forces combined to make the brilliant light that is Sarafina Nance. A star is born! Mary Roach, New York Times bestselling author of Fuzz and Packing for Mars

Sarafina Nances story is utterly unique, but universal at the same time. Its about having a dreamin this case, to devote ones life to investigating the mysteries of the universeand pursuing it in the face of incredible obstacles. The best book you will ever read about growing up to be a scientist. Sean Carroll, New York Times bestselling author of The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Space, Time, and Motion

Starstruck is a warm, poignant, heartfelt, and deeply moving exploration of what it means to come of age in this universe.Sasha Sagan, author of For Small Creatures Such as We

Nance weaves together poetic aspects of the astrophysical universe with her own lived traumas and triumphs, producing a memoir like none Ive ever read. A powerful reminder that scientists are very human, and science a very human endeavor. The universe doesnt care about our personal traumas, but Nance still finds hope and a means to reflect on her own life by looking to the stars. After reading this, perhaps you will, too. Phil Plait, author of Under Alien Skies: A Sightseers Guide to the Universe

Nances vulnerability and lyrical prose shine on the page like the stars she studies. She has artfully woven together honest vignettes of her life with loving descriptions of the universe. Reading Starstruck made me wish I loved space half as much as Nance clearly does. Moiya McTier, author of The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy

With breathtaking intimacy and fearlessness, Sarafina shows us how lifejust like the massive stars she studiescan undergo periods of turbulence: violent and messy, but also beautifully transformative. I was enchanted by the joy of discovery and inspired by her resilience. Alexi Pappas, author of Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas

Author Bio

Sarafina El-Badry Nance is an Egyptian-American astrophysicist, analog astronaut, and womens health advocate. She has been awarded fellowships by the National Science Foundation and her work has been featured by the BBC, NPR, National Geographic, and more. Sarafina is one of Forbes 30 Inspirational Women and was on Forbes list of 30 Under 30 and the Arab American Foundations 40 Under 40. She lives in Berkeley, California, with her partner and their dog, Comet.