STEM Lecture, 6.15 - 7.30pm in the Theatre

12th December 2024

Searching for life in our solar system, where to look, and what would we find.

a lecture by Angus Aldis, Astrobiologist, AstrobiologyOU, The Open University

Angus is a PhD researcher in Astrobiology, looking at detecting life in the outer solar system. His research investigates how potential life is dispersed and could be detected by a spacecraft in geyser-like plumes on Saturn’s icy moon, Enceladus. By using sites on Earth that have similar conditions to Enceladus, his research helps future mission planners to design space probes that could detect alien life.

In this lecture Angus will talk about the habitability of our solar system, investigating some moons and planets that may look inhabitable, but might actually have the possibility of existing alien life. He will also talk about how astrobiologists use Earth to think about what aliens may look like, and then end the session by touching upon the ‘Fermi Paradox’, and why we are yet to detect life. Following this there will be a Q&A session, where Angus will happily answer any space related questions.

The lecture takes place in the Theatre and is free to arrend (please use the main car park on Phoenix Drive). There is no need to book. Refreshments are available from 6pm.