From Chemistry to Life

Explore the fascinating search for alien life in this 1-hour lecture by astronomer Dimitar Sasselov, founding director of Harvard's Origins of Life Initiative. Delve into the physical and chemical phenomena of life beyond our solar system, examining the potential for life to develop in unimaginable ways. Learn about the importance of hydrogen, helium, and other elements in the formation of life, as well as the significance of water planets and deep water cycles. Investigate the carbon cycle, cloth rates, and game-changing discoveries in the field. Gain insights into laboratory experiments simulating simple systems that could lead to life. Recorded at the 2015 World Science Festival in New York City, this thought-provoking talk challenges conventional ideas about extraterrestrial life and offers a glimpse into cutting-edge research in astrobiology.