Starchild

From a childhood in Camden to the frontiers of space, an inspirational memoir from space scientist, presenter of The Sky at Night, and bestselling author Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

‘I’d toast the moon and look at the sky… I think it draws us to it; we wonder what lies beyond.’

Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s destiny was always written in the stars. From the age of three, inspired by The Clangers, her dream was to go into space. Throughout a chaotic childhood, ricocheting between divorced parents and acrimonious custody battles, she attended thirteen schools in fourteen years – but while her environment regularly changed, her fascination with the Universe did not. It became enmeshed in her desire to succeed as a scientist even when her school careers advice was to become a nurse.

Starchild is Maggie’s emotionally honest and revealing memoir, telling a story of education and prejudice, adversity and ambition, motherhood and the moon – all recounted in her characteristically warm and relatable style. From being the only Black woman on her physics course at Imperial College London, to her groundbreaking work on the James Webb and Gemini telescopes, to starting her own public speaking company and sharing the wonders of science with thousands of children every year, Maggie’s story will inspire you to never give up on your dreams.

Author Biography

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock has had a passion for space and astronomy since she was a small child. Now a bestselling author, most recently of The Art of Stargazing and The Book of the Moon, and a pioneering figure in promoting science to the public, Maggie runs her own company and has toured the UK speaking to inner-city schools inspiring the next generation of physicists. As a space scientist, she has spent many years working on novel and bespoke instruments for the space industry, including the James Webb Space Telescope. In 2006 she was one of six ‘Women of Outstanding Achievement’ winners with GetSET Women and in 2009 she was awarded a Member of the British Empire for her services to science and education. As well as fronting The Sky at Night, Maggie has appeared in numerous programmes including Stargazing Live and Doctor Who Confidential. She is also an Honorary Research Associate at UCL’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, and been awarded five honorary doctorates from universities across the country.