Astronaut Terry Virts to Speak in Canton

Season 11 of Stark Library’s Speaking of Books Author Series will continue this spring with an all-ages program featuring NASA astronaut and author Terry Virts on March 19 at the First Christian Church Auditorium, 6900 Market Ave. N., Canton.

Virts, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, served as a fighter pilot, test pilot and NASA astronaut, completing two spaceflights that included more than seven months aboard the International Space Station. During his missions, he captured more than 319,000 photographs from space, the most taken by any astronaut.

He is the author of three books, including The Astronaut’s Guide to Leaving the Planet and How to Astronaut: An Insider’s Guide to Leaving Planet Earth, which offers a firsthand account of life in space.

Tickets for the event will be available beginning Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. A free general admission option will be offered, along with reserved seating packages. Silver tickets are $25 and include preferred seating and a presigned copy of The Astronaut’s Guide to Leaving the Planet. Gold tickets are $75 and include premium seating, a copy of the book and access to a post-event book signing and meet-and-greet with Virts.

A limited number of free book signing and meet-and-greet passes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the event. Books will also be available for purchase. Memorabilia will not be signed during the book signing.

The program is part of Stark Library’s ongoing author series, which brings nationally recognized speakers to the community.