By Kohava Mendelsohn, OpenSpace Science Communication Intern
Luana Melnek dos Anjos brings astronomy to unexpected places, where she always finds people who are interested in learning.
How can you use OpenSpace to expand your astronomy outreach efforts? I talked to Luana Melnek dos Anjos to learn about her work.
Luana is an astrophysics student at San Francisco State University and a presenter at the Morrison Planetarium in the California Academy of Sciences. She has traveled across the Americas explaining the science of the stars. Now, she uses those skills in her work as an Eclipse Ambassador for NASA.
As an immigrant Latinx queer woman, Luana did not feel welcomed into the world of STEM. However, when witnessing the band of the Milky Way for the first time during a college astronomy course, memories of her childhood days in Brazil flooded back and sparked a deep connection to nature that she wanted to share. Luana realized that she could help change the world of astronomy by inviting in other people who felt like they didn’t belong.
Luana loves leading people through the cosmos as she presents at the Morrison Planetarium. She is proud of being a role model for children. She recalls people meeting her and saying, “Wow, I can't believe you're a Latina and you are at the planetarium. You're not originally from there. You're not even a citizen. And you are doing it.”
In her unconventional approach to science communication, Luana brings astronomy to unexpected locations: sidewalks, farms, rooftops, and even a train café car. Armed with just her laptop and the immersive power of OpenSpace, she breaks down barriers, fostering an environment where everybody is open to listening and learning. People are interested in astronomy, Luana insists, when it’s presented to them in accessible ways.
Luana presented interactive space shows on a train café car, using only her laptop equipped with OpenSpace.
Adding cultural context also helps her audience relate to unfamiliar scientific concepts. Luana infuses artistic expression and indigenous traditions in her space demonstrations. “When I bring these aspects that are more culturally involved — of poetry, of cultural astronomy, of traditions, it just grounds,” says Luana. Her role as an Eclipse Ambassador has provided a unique platform to integrate the cultural significance of eclipses into her astronomy outreach. Empowered by connecting people to our shared sky, Luana is planning her next outreach project — a journey spanning North America, from Alaska to Uruguay — to share the wonders of astronomy with diverse communities.
Luana carries her passion for diverse voices through to her research. For a recent internship with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, she recorded indigenous traditions around solar eclipses from communities across the world, including the Otomi in Mexico, the Maya people, and the Guarani-Kaiowá people of Brazil. You can see some of that research in this presentation from the society. She appreciated the opportunity to mix culture and science, and learn from other traditions, expanding her own understanding of science.
Reflecting on her journey, Luana emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-awareness in science communication. She draws on her past experiences in community building to create her astronomy presentations, and uses her own identity to create belonging in science. “My journey has been about meeting myself, and learning about myself, leaning on those communities and then integrating that into science,” Luana says, “not trying to come into science to fit into a certain mold.”
It's truly inspiring to learn about the inventive applications of OpenSpace that are enriching science outreach. Individuals like Luana are harnessing the power of this presentation tool to captivate diverse audiences and foster a love of science. If you or someone you know is using OpenSpace in innovative ways, let us know!
