Carterton Space Week 2025 will conclude with Good Night Wairarapa, an inspiring closing event featuring Professor Emeritus Philippa Gander (ONZM and FRSNZ), one of New Zealand’s most distinguished scientists.
Philippa is internationally recognised for her pioneering work on sleep, circadian rhythms, and human performance in space and extreme environments. She took a Fullbright Fellowship at Harvard Medical School, worked for NASA Ames research centre, and then, back in New Zealand, established the Sleep/Wake Research Centre at the Wellington School of Medicine and then became a professor at Massey University. Her career also resonates with the goals of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, where protecting natural night skies safeguards both the cultural importance of seeing the night sky and human well-being.
In this special address, Philippa will explore the human challenges of living in space, reflect on the importance of dark skies for life on Earth, and share her insights into what it means to live well — both on this planet and beyond.
Audience:
- General public
- Students & teachers
- Health, science, and space enthusiasts
Tickets / Entry:
Free – booking recommended