We’re Learning More all the Time

The Kepler and COROT missions are on the hunt for extrasolar planets, and so are a host of ground-based observers. There’s no doubt in my mind that sometime in the next few years, scientists will find a planet that has signs of life — whether that life is currently extant or long gone.  When that happens, our cosmic view will be changed forever.

The search for those planets and the life they may contain is fraught with questions: what will that life be like? Will the planets be like Earth, or different?  Will that life be intelligent?  How do scientists know what the signs of life are?

They’re all good questions and people in the general public are as interested in finding out as are the scientists. If you want to learn more, you have to search out websites like SETI.org and NASA’s astrobiology site.

I got an email recently from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. As many other museums are doing around the country, they are having a series of social evenings where attendees can meet and mingle (and hear talks from) scientists about various topics. The AMNH series is called Science Cafe.  One of their talks — coming up on October 7 — focuses on exoplanets and the search for life in the universe,  featuring a talk by Dr. Ben Oppenheimer. If you are near NYC and want to learn more, check it out and have a cocktail while you’re at it!   Dr. Oppenheimer will discuss exoplanets, as well as his search for a hypothetical Earth-twin and signs of habitability in nearby planetary systems. Oppenheimer will also explain his role as principal investigator on the Lyot Project, which aims to reveal how planets and solar systems are formed.