Abstract:
Are we alone in the universe? Or even in our own galaxy? For most of human history, this question belonged to philosophy and science fiction. Today, it is a scientific problem we can finally begin to answer.
In this talk, I will discuss how scientists are searching for other Earth-like planets and life beyond our Solar System. We will explore how such planets are discovered, what makes a world potentially habitable, and how we search not only for biological life, but also for signs of advanced technological civilizations. I will also describe how powerful telescopes now allow us to look for subtle clues of life, transforming one of humanity’s oldest questions into a testable scientific investigation.
As we search for life and civilizations on other worlds, we will be reminded that the question “Are we alone?” is itself being asked by a technologically advanced civilization—on a small planet called Earth.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Ravi Kopparapu is a planetary scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where his research focuses on exoplanets, planetary habitability, and the search for life beyond Earth. He has made foundational contributions to our understanding of habitable zones and exoplanet atmospheres; his habitable-zone framework has been used to identify every habitable-zone exoplanet discovered so far.
Dr. Kopparapu is also a leading researcher in the emerging field of technosignatures, developing scientific approaches to search for signs of advanced technology. Dr. Kopparapu has led major research collaborations at NASA, including the Sellers Exoplanet Environments Collaboration, and received NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 2020. He is also an active science communicator, delivering numerous scientific and public talks worldwide to share how humanity is searching for life beyond Earth.