Explore the concept of solar systems beyond our own in this final lecture of Carl Sagan's 1977 Christmas Lectures series. Delve into theoretical work suggesting planets frequently accompany stars, and consider the implications for potential extraterrestrial life. Examine the state of planetary discovery at the time, contrasting it with modern findings of over 450 exoplanets. Learn about the evolution of planetary exploration, from early interpretations of Mars to NASA's Viking Program. Discover the origins and significance of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, a long-standing tradition of presenting science to young people. Investigate topics such as the neighborhood of the Sun, perspective of stars, future space exploration, the Voyager phonograph record, evolution of Earth, radio astronomy, natural frequencies, and the possibility of extraterrestrial contact.
Overview
Syllabus
Introduction
The Neighborhood of the Sun
The Perspective of the Stars
How can we do this
The next decade
Contacting the cosmos
The Voyager phonograph record
Evolution of the Earth
Radio
Radio telescopes
Natural frequencies
Understanding the message
The process
The plexiglass
Unidentified flying objects
The number of stars
The time we live in
Taught by
The Royal Institution
