The Secret Life of Space

HEATHER COUPER is best known for her television work which has raised the profile of astronomy in the public eye. As well as writing numerous books and articles, Professor Couper was the President of the British Astronomical Association from 1984-1986 and is a Fellow of both the Royal Astronomical Society and the Institute of Physics: Asteroid 3922 Heather is named in her honour. In 2008 she presented Cosmic Quest, a 30-part series on the history of astronomy BBC Radio 4. She was awarded the CBE for services to science in 2007. NIGEL HENBEST is a leading science writer, specialising in astronomy and space. He is a prolific author, having written 40 books and over 1000 articles which have been translated into 27 languages, as well as writing and producing many international television programmes on the Universe. Professor Henbest has been Astronomy Consultant for New Scientist magazine, editor of the Journal of the British Astronomical Associationand media consultant for the Royal Greenwich Observatory. A respected commentator on human spaceflight, he is signed up as a future astronaut with Virgin Galactic.