Biography

Dhara Patel is a Space Expert at the National Space Centre, Leicester, working to help convey space science, stories, and topical news to a variety of audiences.

She graduated with a Masters in Physics from the University of Leeds and began her career as a secondary school science teacher.

She then spent six years working at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, London, in a number of education-based roles. During that time Dhara presented planetarium shows, workshops, telescope observing sessions and talks at national science festivals. She was also involved in consulting on and writing books, as well as aiding with space and astronomy media (TV, radio and online) requests.

In January 2022, she joined the National Space Centre where her role includes organising space events, helping to create digital science content, public speaking and interviews. She continues to share her excitement and enthusiasm for space to inspire young students, older audiences, and everyone between.

Synopsis

It’s been another eventful year in the astronomy and space calendar. With inaugural rocket launches and test flights of new spacecraft, to novel private ventures and record-breaking missions – space exploration has increasingly hit the media and piqued the interest of the general population. Sightings of comets and other astronomical phenomena have captivated us throughout the year too.

It seems that space has a way of igniting the fire of curiosity, endeavour, and technological advancement with us, whilst also grounding humanity in our natural and collective connection with the universe.

So, join Dhara as she shares her highlights from the year and looks ahead to 2025 – no doubt it will be full of even more excitement and drama.