Scientist Michelle Thaller who contributed to my very first book Vic/Tim years ago and I had the honor of a number of interesting science conversations, is at a very sad point in life. Her husband Andrew has been dealing with cancer for years now. It appears that treatments are not helping from what I read here. My thoughts go out to Michelle and Andrew in this time. #cancer #cure #hope #michellethaller #thoughts #vickiebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CCBwjdwgWWc/?igshid=15wpt8vua0f4b

One of my favorite movies is Contact with Jodie Foster. I can relate to this movie on many levels. As a young person, I wanted to be an astronomer. I was also fascinated with the subject of UFOs as well, and it still holds an interest. Yet my eldest brother ended up making a career out of UFO research and quite famous with it. So watching this movie and the gathering of alien centric people when the message from space was discovered, I could almost name various people I have “seen” in that crowd. But more impactful is I had the honor to have discussions with Dr. Michelle Thaller on a variety of subjects. Michelle is a famous scientist that has a huge following herself. This movie came up one time and even though the Jodie Foster character was based on another astronomer, Dr. Thaller expressed how much she identified with the movie’s character as well. She said it was odd that even how this character dressed was similar to her. The movie was based on Carl Sagan’s book Contact. Which is interesting as I used to watch Carl’s show Cosmos all the time. I found Carl to be a strange person because he would discount UFO believers and creationists but at the same time provide possible evidence towards them. I guess that is the mark of a true scientist as they are skeptical about everything, but never fully dismiss any theory. I guess that is why I enjoyed my conversations with Michelle as she is brilliant and could argue points in a thousand ways but never does. She actually would listen and give you evidence to support what you are theorizing, even if she did not agree with it. That humility comes from a sense of peace and confidence that is much more needed in the world. However, I guess that is why I enjoy the movie Contact so much. It brings together all the worlds I have been a part of at one time or another, yet makes it all fit together reasonably. #contact #michellethaller #ufo #ufos #alien #science #astronomy #faith #stars #message #telescope #cosmos #carlsagan #movie #book #life https://www.instagram.com/p/CBgLAyWAcem/?igshid=e8tyi8qzwxa0

A fun video from Dr. Michelle Thaller explaining some physics. Years ago when I was writing my first novel Vic/Tim, I needed some solid insight into what a scientist’s life is like for my astronomy book character. Michelle was very helpful in giving me the behind the curtain look into that world. Always be thankful to her and others for their advice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-GKFZ9K0Fg #michellethaller #drmichellethaller #space #vickiebooks #victim #book #read #books #science #physics #fun #nasa #write #grateful #instagood https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tqBUdgrXw/?igshid=gd6dz007by0c

"What is #humanExistence? It turns out it’s pretty #simple: We are #deadStars, looking back up at the #sky.” ✨ #MichelleThaller, #NASA American #astronomer and Research #scientist 🌠