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Space: the final frontier. Beautiful. Intriguing. Mysterious… but if you go there, YOU WILL DIE! Join astrophysicist Dr Eileen O'Hely and graphic artist Nico O'Sullivan in-conversation with Jacinta den Besten LIVE at Books@Stones!

The human body is perfectly adapted to the conditions on Earth. But blast that fragile body into the extreme and varying environments of space and it won't fare so well – and that’s only if you survive the take-off!

From scorching million degree temperatures, to pressures that would instantly SQUISH you to the size of a ping pong ball, O'Hely and O'Sullivan present, 50 Ways to Die in Space – in excruciating and scientifically accurate detail – the physics and physiology of existing (and ceasing to exist) in deep space.

Meet our guests

Dr Eileen O’Hely is an award-winning children's writer and literary competition judge. Eileen holds a double degree in Arts/Science (Hons) from Melbourne University and a PhD in Astrophysics from UNSW. Her day jobs have included university tutor, English teacher, website producer, and sports journalist. When Eileen is not making lists of all the ways space tries to kill humans, she tells planetarium audiences about how fascinating it is.

Nico O’Sullivan is an emerging illustrator with a love for fun characters and wonderful worlds. With his childhood and teenage years filled with a passion for art and illustration, Nico is excited to bring his first graphic novel to life, sparking curiosity and adventure in young readers.

Jacinta den Besten is a physics educator with a degree in Science (Hons) and graduate diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne. Her research career spans condensed matter physics, teaching in secondary and tertiary education settings, and public outreach in astronomy and mathematics, sometimes all at the same time. Jacinta is a staunch supporter and advocate for women and girls in science and loves combining maths with art and craft.

This episode was recorded on-site at Books@Stones in Meanjin/Brisbane, and produced and edited by Bianca Millroy (SWN).

We acknowledge the Jaegara and Turrbal People as the traditional custodians of these lands, the first scientists and storytellers, and pay our respects to Elders, past and present. Always Was, Always Will Be.

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We acknowledge the Jaegara and Turrbal People, Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is created, and the unceded cultural lands on which our guests live and continue to make and tell stories.