Kirsten Banks

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Kirsten Banks

Kirsten BanksKirsten BanksKirsten Banks
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@AstroKirsten

Hi, I'm Kirsten, astrophysicist and Science Communicator. I absolutely love space and I'm currently doing a PhD studying stars in the Milky Way galaxy. 


Do you have a question about space that you've been itching to ask? Send it to me and I'll do my best to quench your curiosity!

Watch my latest YouTube Video

NASA brought an asteroid back from space - here’s what they found

Watch my TEDx talk

Find out more about my PhD

Bidjigal Country PO Box A309 1/35 Firth Street Arncliffe NSW 2205 Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

Please use the contact form below if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Yes! Here's a list of all my publications so far:

  • CN and CO Features: Key Indicators of Red Giant Evolutionary Phase in Moderate-Resolution X-Shooter Spectra
  • Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): The Merging Potential of Brightest Group Galaxies
  • Evidence for Centrifugal Breakout around the Young M Dwarf TIC 234284556
  • The Planets in Indigenous Australian Traditions


Yay, you're going to buy a telescope! I own a little 5" computerised telescope that you can operate with an app on your phone.


It's a Celestron Astro Fi 5 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope and does a good job at seeing the planets, the Moon looks GORGEOUS, and you can see some good deep sky objects like my favourite, the Orion Nebula.


Everyone has a different path to their dreams. I did Physics and Extension 1 Mathematics for my HSC, as well as Music and Geography for a bit of fun. I enrolled at UNSW in a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Physics and continued my undergraduate study with a Physics Honours year studying the evolution of galaxies in the universe. And now, I'm doing a PhD, also at UNSW, studying the evolution of the Milky Way.


If I didn't have a good foundational knowledge in mathematics and physics, studying astrophysics would have been a lot more difficult for me. Another tip that I wish I knew before starting university is to take a few computing and coding courses. I use coding and programing almost everyday when I'm working on my PhD! 


To find the right path for you, reach out to some of your favourite universities and colleges to find out some education and career paths they can support you through. I can't wait to see where you go!


Some more videos to watch

Find out more about me and what I love to do...

Studying Galactic Archaeology, what's that?

A more detailed look at my PhD research!

Find me on socials

Contact AstroKirsten

For all media and event inquiries, please use the form below or send an email to astronomerkirsten@gmail.com

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