Michelle Thaller

Michelle Thaller

Assistant Director for Science Communication, NASA

A woman sitting in a chair.

Michelle Thaller is an astronomer and Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

A star is being stretched and pulled apart by the gravity of a black hole in the middle of a field of stars.
8 min
How do black holes actually interact with matter?
Is information intrinsic in our universe? NASA’s Michelle Thaller explains.
Abstract digital art of concentric ripples radiating from a glowing center, featuring shades of pink, purple, and orange against a dark background.
5 min
When neutron stars collide
NASA’s Michelle Thaller explains what happens when the densest stars in the galaxy collide.
7 min
How to live after your soulmate has died
Astronomer Michelle Thaller explains the healing power of physics after losing her husband.
Geometric abstract design featuring overlapping white wireframe curves forming a symmetrical star shape on a black background, evoking the cosmic elegance of the big bang. The great Big Bang misconception
Thanks to time-traveling telescopes, we can see more about the Big Bang.
John Templeton Foundation
big bang theory What happened before the Big Bang? A NASA astrophysicist explains
Thanks to time-traveling telescopes, we can see more about the Big Bang
space navigation Do compasses work in space?
Google maps won’t guide you to Mars - but will your compass work in space?
solar wind
5 min
Are solar storms a threat to humanity?
Astrophysicist Michelle Thaller explains how a solar storm could wipe out civilization… and what we can do to prevent catastrophe.