Dr Nicola Fox, originally from Hitchin and a former student of St Francis’ College in Letchworth, will take part in the hour-long event at St Mary’s Church as part of the Hitchin Festival.
Taking place on Friday, July 17, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, she will discuss the search for life in the universe, the challenges of working in space, and this year’s Artemis II moon mission – the first beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Tickets for the event are available through the Hitchin Festival website at hitchinfestival.co.uk.
The event will also be made available to watch via a live stream so people who can’t make the event can also get an opportunity to tune in and it will be recorded to inspire future generations.
Danny Pearson, Hitchin’s town centre manager, said the event was a source of pride for the town and praised those who helped organise it.
He said: “We are so proud that we have been able to pull this all together for the people of Hitchin.
“Big thanks need to go to the Hitchin Festival team, the British Schools Museum, and the wonderful team at St Mary’s Church.
“This is an excellent way of celebrating everything Dr Fox has achieved and a glimpse of what is still to come.
“I am personally very excited by this, and it shows again that Hitchin punches well above its weight when it comes to activities, events, talks, and things to do.”
Danny also highlighted the personal significance of the event, given Dr Fox’s connection to Hitchin.
He said: “Dr Fox was born in Hitchin and still has family here, so it makes it all very special.
“For those of you who don’t manage to secure a ticket, have no fear.
“We are planning to live stream this Q&A to make this event as accessible as possible.
“We want the whole world to have the opportunity of watching what promises to be a fascinating talk about life, the universe, and everything in between.”
To get your tickets visit hitchinfestival.co.uk. To watch the live stream visit www.youtube.com/c/stmaryshitchin.