Didier Queloz and Nathalie Cabrol

Since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995, more than 5,000 more have been found. Some are too cold and some very hot, but others have a temperature that allows the possibility of liquid water and could therefore meet the necessary conditions for hosting life. Moreover, the atmospheres of these planets can now be explored with the new telescopes, and signs of biological activity can be detected. Will we ever be able to answer the big question of whether we are alone? Does it make sense to search for life like the one we know? If there is life outside Earth, might it be so different from ours that we would not even be able to recognise it? So, what does it mean to be alive?

We invite Didier Queloz, Nobel prize-winner for his discovery of the first exoplanet, and Nathalie Cabrol, Director of the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, to analyse the possibilities of finding extraterrestrial life, and consider what it might mean for humanity if life, intelligent or otherwise, were discovered outside of Earth. The discussion will be moderated by Ignasi Ribas, expert on exoplanets and director of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia.

This discussion is part of “Radical Science”, a cultural project resulting from the research strategy devised by the Complementary Joint Research Plans fund, which is coordinated in Catalonia through ICFO, ALBA Synchrotron, IBEC, and IFAE.