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Stargazing Lecture

Friday, July 10, 2020
7:00pm to 9:00pm
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Online Event
You'll Know It When You See It: Defining, Describing, and Detecting Life in the Universe
Cecilia Sanders, PhD Candidate, Department of Geological & Planetary Sciences, Caltech,
  • Public Event

Because this is an online event, the in-person stargazing that normally follows events in this series will not be possible.


Join the YouTube Livestream here: https://youtu.be/VyzQpk2m5Hk

7:00–7:30 p.m. - Virtual Lecture
7:30–9:00 p.m. - Virtual Panel Q&A and Discussion

When scientists search for life in the universe, what in the world are we looking for? What kinds of "fingerprints" or signatures do living things leave behind on their non-living surroundings, and what tools do we need to detect them? In this talk, I will attempt to define life, give a brief history of life (as we know it) in the universe, and talk through some of the astro-bio-geo-chemical techniques that we use to study it.

About the Series

Stargazing Lectures are free lectures at a public level followed by a Q&A panel and guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). All events are held at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Caltech. No reservations are needed. Lectures are 30 minutes; stargazing and panel Q&A last 90 minutes. Stay only as long as you want.

Stargazing is only possible with clear skies, but the lecture and panel Q&A takes place regardless of weather.

For directions, weather updates, and more information, please visit: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu.

Download the series flyer (PDF)

For more information, please contact Cameron Hummels by email at chummels@caltech.edu.