Beyond UFOs: Science’s Search for Extraterrestrial Life
At the Museum | Fleischmann Auditorium
Is there really life beyond Earth? Reports of UFOs are unlikely to give us an answer, but science may soon be able to. In this free talk, author and astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett will describe how scientists are searching both for microbial life and extraterrestrial intelligence. Along the way, we’ll also see why the possibility of life beyond Earth has profound implications for the future of our species, even in the unlikely event that we are alone in the universe.
Jeffrey Bennett has devoted his career to science education and outreach. He has taught at every level from preschool through graduate school and written numerous books for children, educators, college students, and the public. He also served two years as a visiting senior scientist at NASA headquarters, proposed and co-led development of the Voyage Scale Model Solar System on the National Mall (Washington, D.C.), created the free Totality app for learning about solar eclipses, and created a free online textbook for middle school Earth and Space Science. Among other honors, his children’s books were the first ever selected for Story Time From Space, in which books are launched to the International Space Station and read aloud by astronauts. He has won both the American Institute of Physics Science Communication Award (2014) and the Klopsteg Memorial Award (2023) for education from the American Association of Physics Teachers.
Talk starts at 7:30 PM, but astronomy-lovers are invited to mix and mingle before the lecture and enjoy a 7:00 PM planetarium show in Gladwin Planetarium. Planetarium seats are limited, so show up early if you want to be sure of a seat. No tickets or reservations required.
This event is part of a monthly series of free astronomy talks presented by Santa Barbara’s astronomy club, the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU). Look for more talks and free Star Parties with the SBAU on the Museum’s astronomy calendar.
Questions? Contact Director of Education Rosina Garcia at rgarcia@sbnature2.org or 805-682-4711 ext. 172.
Kepler-186f artwork by NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle
