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How and when did life originate on Earth? How many other Earth-like planets exist in our Solar System and universe?

From the beginnings of recorded history, humans have had a fascination with their origins and with questions such as these. As part of our ongoing Science & Society project, Carnegie Science is pleased to present a series of four discussion forums on origins-related questions, including: How did we get here, where are we going, are we alone and what does that mean for humanity?

The invitation-only events and subsequent video series will highlight the importance and process of discovery science—emphasizing both how scientists think about fundamental questions and that science is an ongoing data-based debate. 

The first of four forums will focus on planet formation and habitability. In an intimate setting, invited participants will engage with leading scientists as they elucidate their pioneering  efforts to discover Earth-like extrasolar bodies that could harbor life. Planetary science experts are exploring the basic physical, chemical, and dynamical aspects that led to the formation of our own Solar System—an event that remains mysterious. Their ultimate goal is to determine if similar processes could be at work in newly discovered exoplanetary systems, which could then help predict Earth-like extrasolar bodies that could potentially harbor life.​

On-site experts will include: 
Dr. Fred Ciesla, University of Chicago
Dr. Guillem Anglada-Escudé, Queen Mary College, University of London
Dr. Erik Hauri, Carnegie Science
Dr. James Kasting, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Kaitlin Kratter, University of Arizona
Dr. Hal Levison, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder
Dr. Francis Nimmo, University of California, Santa Cruz
Dr. Alycia Weinberger, Carnegie Science

The program will be moderated by novelist, essayist, astrophysicist, and educator Dr. Alan Lightman. He is Professor of the Practice of the Humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

 

THIS IS AN INVITATION-ONLY PROGRAM. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND.

 

This program is made possible with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.