“Other Earths and the Origin of Life in the Universe”

In this talk, Professor Sasselov, professor at Harvard University, explores a new field where two key disciplines converge: astronomy and biochemistry. From an astronomical perspective, it is possible to study Earth-like planets at different stages of their evolution. At the same time, biochemistry enables researchers to recreate chemical systems in the laboratory that exhibit life-like functions. This intersection between disciplines marks the beginning of a new era in the search for life beyond our planet.

This lecture, delivered in October 2017, is part of the astrophysics series ‘The Science of the Cosmos, the Science in the Cosmos’, tackles the fundamental questions in contemporary astrophysics. The lectures in the sixth edition focus on our cosmic origin, as well as the fact that gravity, the most familiar and important force in the universe’s evolution, continues to pose some challenging questions.