Painting the Cosmos

“Rarely does the astronomer communicate both the knowledge of scientific discovery and the beauty, wonder and reverence for mystery that such knowledge evokes. In Painting the Cosmos, Imara does just that by bringing her humanity into the narrative, by situating the science within her cultural context, and by showing us the meaning she’s made of the world through the art, poetry, and music that touches her.” —Natalie Batalha, professor of astronomy and astrophysics and director of astrobiology at UC Santa Cruz   “This groundbreaking book takes the reader on a journey that majestically interweaves art and astronomy and their impact on humanity’s quest for knowledge and meaning. From the oldest human drawings to ancient astronomical observatories, it reveals how these pursuits have always been essential for understanding and creating. Imara highlights the timeless relevance of art in grounding and inspiring us amidst modern technological advancements.” —Stephon Solomon Alexander, PhD professor of theoretical physics at Brown University and author of The Jazz of Physics

Dr. Nia Imara is an artist and astrophysicist born in Oakland, California. She is a graduate of Kenyon College, received her PhD in astrophysics from UC Berkeley, did her postdoctoral work at Harvard University, and is currently a professor of astronomy at UC Santa Cruz. Her nonprofit organization, Onaketa, provides free STEM tutoring and other educational resources for black and brown youth in the United States and Ghana.