Science for the Public presents: "Is Earth Exceptional? The Quest for Cosmic Life"

Mario Livio, Ph.D.- the distinguished astrophysicist, formerly with the Hubble Space Telescope and best-selling science author, discusses his latest book, Is Earth Exceptional with Yvonne Stapp of Science fro the Public and will take live questions from an in-person and Zoom audience.

Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak, co-authored the book  Is Earth Exceptional with Livia.

Science for the Public presents this event in cooperation with Belmont Media Center in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Beech Street Center in Belmont - 266 Beech Street. Free admission. Dr. Livio will appear by Zoom, virtually.

One of the most fascinating questions is whether there is life -and especially intelligent life- beyond our planet? This book provides the best information about the requirements for producing life and how scientists search for life elsewhere. Dr. Livio explains the challenge of identifying life elsewhere when we have only the example of life’s emergence on Earth. Importantly, the book combines the unique expertise of astrophysics (Mario Livio) and geochemistry (Jack Szostak) in a very timely consideration of the possibility of life in the cosmos.

Mario Livio is a prominent astrophysicist at (Hubble Space Telescope until 2015) and best-selling author of eight books, including The Golden Ratio, Brilliant Blunders, and Galileo. He has published more than 500 scientific articles, significantly contributing to topics ranging from cosmology, supernova explosions, and black holes to extrasolar planets and the emergence of life in the universe. Dr. Livio has appeared in several PBS NOVA programs, including one based on one of his books. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.