07/12/2026
Calling all Boulder astronomers, especially science fiction lovers! Have you ever wondered why talking with aliens is currently reserved for the fictional world, or whether there’s a real scientific basis to your favorite sci-fi horror story? If you answered yes to either question, July’s Astronomy on Tap Boulder event is one you won’t want to miss! We’ll see you at 8pm at Rosetta Hall on July 17th to hear from our wonderful speakers, Vanessa Brown and Simone Williams! 👽🛸☄️
Vanessa Brown is an author by day and astrophysicist by night. They are a PhD candidate in Astrophysical and Planetary Scoences at the University of Colorado Boulder and former college astronomy lecturer, writing speculative fiction while studying early epochs in cosmic history. Their novella “The Scourge Between Stars” was their science fiction horror debut, and they also write for the Warhammer 40,000 universe. When not writing or researching, they laze around with their husband and two cats, Faust and Mephi.
Fun fact: Vanessa has trained for over a decade in Wing Chin kung fu and Tai Chi.
Simone Williams is an astrophysicist, science communicator, and park ranger passionate about making science engaging and accessible. She graduated from Yale University with a B.S. in Astrophysics and has worked with the National Park Service, NASA, and other science-focused organizations to connect people with astronomy. When she’s not sharing the wonders of the universe, Simone enjoys rock climbing, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
Fun fact: Simone can recite from memory all the countries of the world, as they were in the 1993 Animaniacs song!
