Written by Kylie Akins
On summer nights in the rural town of Bee Branch, Ark., the unpolluted light of the constellations gave life to a little girl’s dream of studying the stars.As she watched meteor showers and lunar eclipses from the quiet fields of her hometown, her interest in astronomy grew, and by junior high, Amber Holley Straughn knew she would become an astronomer.Dr. Straughn, now an astronomer for NASA, will return to her home state to speak at Harding University in an event hosted by the Central Arkansas Chapter of Sigma Xi. Her presentation, “Eyes on the Universe,” will be held tonight, at 8 p.m. in the Founder’s Room, located above the cafeteria.After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of Arkansas and completing her Master of Science and Ph.D. in physics at Arizona State University, Straughn is now a postdoctoral fellow at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. During her presentation, she will be sharing pictures and discoveries from her research at Goddard with the Hubble Space Telescope. Her findings are focused on galaxy formation and structure.She will also detail her work as lead scientist for the Education and Public Outreach program of the James Webb Space Telescope, an international telescope to be completed in 2014 that will become the world’s largest space astronomical observatory, supplementing research of the history of the universe and formation of galaxies capable of producing Earth-like planets.Straughn said her focus on the birth of galaxies arose from her lifelong fascination with the night sky that she said inspired her from a young age to ask the “big questions” concerning the origin and meaning of life.”Looking at a sky full of stars or at the remarkable images from Hubble Space Telescope is just so awe-inspiring,” Straughn said. “There is something very pure and satisfying on a deep level about studying the way the universe works.”Straughn said integrating her Christian faith and career comes very naturally for her despite the common misperceptions people hold concerning science and religion.”Both sides are often guilty of misunderstanding the intent and scope of the other side, but the two can, and do, exist without conflict when properly understood,” Straughn said. “In the end, for me, studying the universe is a way to study the nature of God.”Dr. Ed Wilson, Harding professor of chemistry and executive committee member of the local chapter of Sigma Xi, said Straughn, as she works with the top telescopes of the world, is a role model for young women who aspire to make a career in science.”She’s right in the middle of the neatest place she could ever be for an astronomer and has a full career ahead of her,” Wilson said. “You don’t get a chance to hear speakers of that caliber generally in small towns.”Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the views of Dr. Straughn and do not necessarily reflect NASA’s views or opinions.
