The Big Questions in the Universe
How Common is Life in the Universe? The discovery of exoplanets and of Earth twins will be described, with a review of attempts to estimate the probability of finding life in the universe - for example how many stars do we need to survey to find suitable planets? How much time is needed to generate life?
The FERMI paradox: where are the aliens? will be considered including water and oxygen as essential components of life, and searches for the signatures of life on distant planets. Chlorophyll could be a signature of plant life as pollution such as smog can be a signature of intelligent life.
Is searching for electronic signals from remote civilizations a futile activity? As advanced civilizations exhaust their planetary energy resources, how might one tackle a future energy crisis?
Gresham Professor of Astronomy, Joseph Silk FRS, is one of the world's leading experts in theoretical cosmology, dark matter, galaxy formation and cosmic microwave background.
(from gresham.ac.uk)
| 05. How Common is Life in the Universe? |
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