Southampton Astronomer’s Arctic Adventure Inspires Debut Children’s Book on Northern Lights

Southampton Astronomer’s Arctic Adventure Inspires Debut Children’s Book on Northern Lights

(IN BRIEF) Dr. Sadie Jones, an astronomer from the University of Southampton, has drawn inspiration from her expedition to Svalbard, Norway, to write her first children’s book, Seren and the Polar Bear Cub, aimed at readers 10 and up. The story follows a young girl’s journey to experience the northern lights, inspired by Dr. Jones’s firsthand encounters with the aurora and Arctic wildlife. The book will debut at Southampton’s Arts and Humanities Day, where Dr. Jones will distribute 750 free copies. She is currently seeking a publisher for wider distribution.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOUTHAMPTON, 7-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Inspired by an expedition to Norway with the University of Southampton’s Space Environment Physics group, astronomer Dr. Sadie Jones has turned her experience into her debut children’s book. Dr. Jones, the university’s Astronomy Public Engagement Leader, has spent six years sharing her passion for the aurora through outreach activities in schools and public events. In January 2020, she traveled to Svalbard, Norway, to help launch the Aurora Zoo citizen science project, which has since drawn over 17,500 volunteers to analyze aurora images captured in the Arctic, advancing scientific understanding of this awe-inspiring phenomenon.

During this Arctic journey, Dr. Jones witnessed the northern lights firsthand and had a close encounter with a polar bear, experiences that ignited her imagination and inspired her to write Seren and the Polar Bear Cub, a children’s story for readers aged 10 and above. Set to launch at the University of Southampton Arts and Humanities Day on November 9, the book follows a young girl’s adventure from her UK home to the frozen landscapes of Svalbard, where she discovers the magic of the aurora.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Jones said, “I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book that showcases the incredible astronomy research we conduct at the University of Southampton. Svalbard felt otherworldly and inspiring, and I was fortunate to glimpse the life of a scientist at work in such extreme conditions.”

As part of the Arts and Humanities Festival, Dr. Jones will distribute the first 750 copies of Seren and the Polar Bear Cub at the family-friendly event, held in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter. Free tickets for the event are required and can be booked in advance. Dr. Jones is currently seeking a publisher to bring her book to a wider audience.

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SOURCE: University of Southampton