Menu

exobiology

Astrobiology2

Extraterrestrial Life – Sep 5

/ , , / , , , , , , , , , /

An August-24th New York Times article about audacious astronomer Avi Loeb concludes with this: “Now, that being said, if [Dr. Loeb] finds something, it’s life-changing … It will change everything.” What was “being said” referred to professional academic complaints about Dr. Loeb’s alleged “transgressions against scientific norms and protocols.” However, no one disputes the excitement of Prof. Loeb’s investigations. Wonderfest joins the Commonwealth Club to present controversial Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb in conversation about ideas in his latest book, Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars. That conversation will explore some vital — if highly speculative — long-term questions: How do we prepare for first contact with ET? And how can our species itself become interstellar?

Dr. Avi Loeb is Professor of Science and former chair of the Astronomy Department at Harvard University. During this online event, he will be in conversation with the Commonwealth Club’s George Hammond.

 


Dr. Avi Loeb

WHAT: Avi Loeb's Search for Extraterrestrial Life
WHO: Dr. Avi Loeb, Professor of Science, Harvard [https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/people/avi-loeb]
WHERE: ONLINE, with the Commonwealth Club
WHEN: 2023-09-05 — 3pm PDT, Tuesday, Sep 5 (1 hour)
HOW:

Please pre-register with the Commonwealth Club (via the URL below) to receive a link — via email — to this live-stream event. Use discount code WonderfestPromo for $10 off the ticket price, rendering that ticket completely FREE.


Collaborators:
The Commonwealth Club
TICKETS:
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2023-09-05/avi-loebs-search-extraterrestrial-life
Astrobiology

Astrobiology Memoir – July 24

/ , , / , , , , , , , , /

How far off are the “goldilocks” worlds? These are the planets, orbiting other stars, that have just the right environmental traits to make life possible — not too hot, not too cold, etc. Will we be able to detect the chemical signals of alien life from so far away? In her new book, Life on Other Planets: A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe, Dr. Aomawa Shields discusses these questions alongside the personal challenges she’s encountered on the path to success in the thrilling field of astrobiology. Dr. Shields is in conversation with author and journalist Julia Flynn, and in touch with the online audience via the chat bar.

Dr. Aomawa Shields is Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy at UC Irvine. She is also founding director of Rising Stargirls, dedicated to encouraging girls to explore the universe using theater, writing, and visual art.

 


Dr. Aomawa Shields

WHAT: Astrobiology, a Memoir
WHO: Dr. Aomawa Shields, Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy, UC Irvine [https://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=6345]
WHERE: ONLINE, with the Commonwealth Club
WHEN: 2023-07-24 — 3pm PDT, Mon, July 24 (1 hour)
HOW:

Please pre-register with the Commonwealth Club (via the URL below) to receive a link — via email — to this live-stream event. Use discount code WonderfestPromo for $10 off the ticket price, rendering that ticket completely FREE.


Collaborators:
The Commonwealth Club
TICKETS:
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2023-07-24/aomawa-shields-life-other-planets
mostimprobablejourney

Exoplanets & Alien Life – Jan 29

/ , , / , , , , , , , , , /

Humanity has looked up at the stars for millennia and wondered whether we’re alone in the Universe. Yet only in the past few decades have we begun to discover planets outside our Solar System: to date, we’ve found over 4,000 such “exoplanets.” Further, we have statistical reasons to believe that roughly one billion exoplanets — in our Galaxy alone — are promising abodes for life. Come learn about exoplanets and the exciting search for Earth-like and potentially habitable worlds.

Our speaker, Andy Mayo, is a PhD student and researcher in the UC Berkeley Astronomy Department. He is also a Wonderfest Science Envoy.

 


Andrew Mayo

WHAT: Exoplanets and the Search for Alien Life
WHO: Andrew Mayo, UC Berkeley Astronomy Department
WHERE: ONLINE, via Zoom: [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82195772545]
WHEN: 2021-01-29 — 8pm PST, Friday, Jan 29 (1 hr)
HOW:

What value will these insights have for you? Via the Eventbrite portal below, please consider a donation to nonprofit Wonderfest in accord with this value.