What should you do if you’re abducted by aliens?

By Sophia Wu and Emily Teng

Former astronaut Michael Massimino shares his journey with Lowell students. Photo by Christopher Hackett

What should you do if you’re abducted by aliens?

According to Michael Massimino, ex-astronaut and Columbia University professor, you should ask for a souvenir.

During block 5 on Wednesday Nov. 16, Massimino visited the Carol Channing theater to talk to students about his journey to becoming an astronaut and his experience in space. “This must be the view from heaven,” he recalled thinking when he saw the Earth from the Hubble Space Telescope.

Massimino became the first person to tweet from space in May 2009, when he posted the following statement on his twitter: “From orbit: Launch was awesome!! I am feeling great, working hard, & enjoying the magnificent views, the adventure of a lifetime has begun!”

Chemistry teacher Jonathan Fong organized the event after he learned that Columbia University was interested in sending a guest speaker to promote STEM research. Fong hopes that these types of science-based presentations that cast a wider appeal to the entire school will continue in the future.