Life on Earth and Beyond: Exploring Possibilities for Extraterrestrial Life

Explore the possibilities of extraterrestrial life in this Santa Fe Institute Community Lecture by physical biologist Chris Kempes. Delve into the search for life beyond Earth, from the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn to distant exoplanets. Learn about the methods scientists use to detect potential life forms and how familiar organisms might adapt to different environmental conditions across the universe. Discover the history of life on Earth, the concept of planetary habitability, and the role of evolution by natural selection in shaping life as we know it. Examine the latest findings from space telescopes like Kepler and discuss the potential for intelligent life elsewhere in the cosmos. Gain insights into extreme environments, the domains of life, and the challenges of identifying biosignatures on other worlds. Consider the implications of the anthropic principle and ponder the major consequences of discovering extraterrestrial life.