Are We Alone in the Universe? The Latest on the Scientific Inquiries to Find Out

KQED's Forum

KQED

Politics, News, News Commentary

4.6 • 656 Ratings

🗓️ 8 November 2022

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Scientists have yet to discover evidence of life beyond earth, but according to NASA researchers that doesn't mean the universe is lifeless. Where does the scientific search for life beyond our planet stand? From the possibility of extraterrestrial microbial life to the radiowave search for “intelligent” life, we’ll talk about what modern science tells us about whether we’re alone in the universe. Guests: Marina Koren, staff writer, The Atlantic - she covers space for the magazine G. Scott Hubbard, former director, NASA Ames Research Center; author, “Exploring Mars: Chronicles from a Decade of Discovery” Dan Werthimer, SETI Chief Scientist, UC Berkeley Department of Astronomy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Support for KikiWED podcasts comes from Rancho LaPuerta, boated the number one wellness resort and spa by readers of travel and leisure magazine.
0:09.1	In August, three or four people sharing a casita enjoy special vacation packages. Rancho LaPuerta.com.
0:15.8	Greetings boomtown. The Xfinity Wi-Fi is booming!
0:19.5	Xfinity combines the power of internet and mobile.
0:22.7	So we've all got lightning fast speeds at home and on the go!
0:26.2	Learn more at Xfinity.com.
0:28.1	Restrictions apply.
0:28.8	Xfinity, internet required.
0:29.9	Actual speeds vary.
0:32.1	From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Rachel Myro and Vermina Kim.
0:54.8	On a day when most of us are focused on anthropomorphic politics in the United States,
1:00.2	we want to tip your chin up and encourage you to think about what's out there beyond our Earth's atmosphere,
1:06.8	beyond this delicate blue marble roiled by toxic terrestrial life forms.
1:11.9	If, like me, you've ever wondered if humans are alone in the universe.
1:16.0	If, like our esteemed panel of experts today,
1:18.9	you've ever seriously searched for signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life out there,
1:25.0	you are in for a treat.
1:26.6	Stay with us. We cover the universe after this news.
1:35.4	Welcome to Forum. I'm Rachel Myro in for Mina Kim. When I was a little child, I dreamt of being
1:43.2	contacted by aliens.
1:45.0	You too?
1:46.0	Perhaps you noticed, like we did here at Forum, that NASA has just launched a nine-month study of unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAP.
	...

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