Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

“For the first time in human history we can look at the stars and not just wonder, but find other worlds like ours,” – Lisa Kaltenegger
Artwork: Lynette Cook

Next month there’s an “all-star lineup”…of experts to discuss finding other Earths in the Cosmos.

A one-day Cornell University space sciences conference May 9 will inaugurate the new Institute for Pale Blue Dots.

Founded in 2014, Cornell’s new institute in Ithaca, New York focuses on characterizing extrasolar planets and modeling habitable, rocky exoplanets. The institute brings together astrophysicists, engineers, geologists, biologists and Earth scientists to find the fingerprints of life in our cosmos.

New Institute for Pale Blue Dots is situated on Cornell campus in Ithaca, New York.
Credit: Cornell University

“Are we alone in the universe? For the first time in human history we can look at the stars and not just wonder, but find other worlds like ours,” says Lisa Kaltenegger, Cornell professor of astronomy and director of the Institute for Pale Blue Dots.

To view a video invitation from Kaltenegger, go to:

http://www.cornell.edu/video/institute-for-pale-blue-dots-inauguration-may-9-2015

All-star lineup of talks includes Bill Borucki, NASA, principal investigator, Kepler mission.
Courtesy: Cornell University

From extremophiles to ‘Star Trek’

Here’s the spectacular set of talks:

— “Pale Blue Dot and Beyond,” Ann Druyan, writer/producer of the television series “Cosmos”

— “Holy Toledo! Is That a Planet,” Dave Latham, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

— “A Graveyard-Resurrected Star and its Second Chance Planets,” Alex Wolszczan, Penn State

— “Some Planets Like it Hot,” Didier Queloz, University of Cambridge;

— “Kepler: Pushing a Rock Uphill and Watching it Roll Down,” Bill Borucki, NASA, principal investigator, Kepler mission

— “Planets for Goldilocks and Kepler’s Discoveries,” Natalie Batalha, NASA, Kepler mission scientist

— “Four Suspects to Search for Life in Our Solar System,” Jonathan Lunine, Cornell professor of astronomy

— “Life in the Cosmos: What Does It Take?” Dimitar Sasselov, Harvard

— From Extremophiles to ‘Star Trek’: The Use of Synthetic Biology in Astrobiology,” Lynn Rothschild, NASA astrobiologist

— “Exploring Pale Blue Dots in the Night Sky,” Lisa Kaltenegger, Cornell.

Free, open to the public, and webcast!

The May 9 event is free and open to the public.

RSVP by email to instituteforpalebluedots@gmail.com

Note: The event will be webcast.

Check the Institute for Pale Blue Dots website for details as the conference date draws closer by going to:

http://instituteforpalebluedots.com