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?

Join Professor Joseph Silk in discussing extraterrestrial life.