Central Michigan University

CMU astronomy lecture asks 'are we alone?'

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Topics in this story: Arts and events, College of Science and Technology, Physics, Science

To provide further insight into an ever-expanding universe, Central Michigan University's physics department will host an out-of-this-world lecture that investigates the planetary exploration of life in our solar system.

Renowned astronomer Dana E. Backman will present the lecture, titled "Looking for Life in All the Right Places: An Astrobiological Tour of the Solar System," at 7 p.m. March 19 in room 171 of the Dow Science Complex. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Backman will discuss evidence supporting the possibility of life on other planets, including fossil microbes, organic compounds and water found beneath layers of ice. Backman uses space and ground-based telescopes to conduct research at the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence Institute in Mountain View, Calif. He currently leads the Education and Public Outreach program for SOFIA and recruits and trains educators across America to partner with astronomers.

Chris Tycner, an assistant professor of astronomy, aided in bringing Backman to campus. "He investigates one of the fundamental questions of science that has plagued man for centuries &mdash whether or not signs of life exist elsewhere in the universe," Tycner said. "As an astronomer and as a human being, I find that to be incredibly interesting."

The lecture is sponsored by CMU's physics department, the American Astronomical Society and the Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureship Endowment Fund.