Cosmic Life: Astrobiology & the Search for ET Life With Dr. Graham Lau

COURSE DESCRIPTION

For as long as humans have gazed at the stars, we've been captivated by profound questions like “Are we alone?” and “Where do we come from?” In this course, we invite you to journey through the cosmos, exploring the origins of the universe and the formation of the very elements that make up our bodies. We'll trace the evolution of life on Earth and ponder the tantalizing possibility of life on other worlds within our solar system.

Over six sessions, we’ll also examine the latest discoveries from robotic and human space missions, the search for exoplanets, and the quest for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). As we ponder our place in the cosmos, we’ll explore how a cosmic perspective can inspire a deeper connection to our planet and its future. Whether you’re a curious novice or a seasoned space enthusiast, this course offers a thought-provoking exploration of life’s greatest mysteries.

Explore the wonders of nature with our Wild Life course series, inspired by Atlas Obscura's new book . Dive into immersive lessons that bring the extraordinary and hidden marvels of the natural world to life!

SYLLABUS AT A GLANCE

This course includes six total sessions, each lasting 1.5 hour on six consecutive Mondays beginning November 4.

Session 1 (Monday, 11/4, 7:30–9:00 PM ET)| Are We Star Stuff? - An intro to astrobiology and our search for our origins

Session 2 (Monday, 11/1, 7:30–9:00 PM ET)| Grandeur in this View - Earth's geological history and how it compares to alien worlds

Session 3 (Monday, 11/18, 7:30–9:00 PM ET)| Exploring Close to Home - The evolution of astrobiology and Mars exploration, from early missions to modern rovers

Session 4 (Monday, 11/25, 7:30–9:00 PM ET)| Myriad Worlds Afar - Exploring exoplanets and advancements in telescopes

Session 5 (Monday, 12/2, 7:30–9:00 PM ET)| Is There Anybody Out There? - The possibilities of alien life and the potential for intelligent beings beyond our planet

Session 6 (Monday, 12/9, 7:30–9:00 PM ET)| A Distant Vantage - Human space exploration, the Overview Effect, and space settlement

BETWEEN SESSIONS

Outside of class, Dr. Lau will provide some suggested reading for students who wish to delve deeper into material touched on during class.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR, DR. GRAHAM LAU

Dr. Graham Lau is an astrobiologist and science communicator with a multidisciplinary background in biology, chemistry, astrophysics, and geology. He currently hosts the NASA Astrobiology Program’s “Ask an Astrobiologist” show on YouTube and is the Director of Communications and Marketing for the non-profit Blue Marble Space. Dr. Lau is also a Research Investigator with the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science and serves as the Director of Logistics for the University Rover Challenge (a robotics competition focused on Mars rovers). His work spans conceptual issues in astrobiology, and he's recognized for his dynamic public talks and thought-provoking insights on humanity's place in the cosmos.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This lecture series is designed so students can participate live or watch a recording of each session, after it airs, at a time that is convenient for them. Sessions will take place live over Zoom, with dedicated Q&A segments for students to ask questions via video or chat. Within 72 hours after each session meets, students will receive access to a recording of the live session, which they can watch for up to two weeks after the course concludes.

Instructors may use Google Classroom to communicate with students outside of class. While students aren’t required to use Google Classroom, instructors may use this platform to post resources, discussion questions, or assignments. This platform also offers a space for students to connect with one another about course material between sessions.

ACCESSING YOUR COURSE

Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite that will provide access to the class meeting. Please save the confirmation email as you’ll use it to access all sessions of your course via Zoom.

PRICING OPTIONS

This course is available at three ticket prices. This tiered pricing model is designed to increase access for a wider range of students as well as to support our instructors. In addition to tiered tickets, we offer a limited number of no-pay spots for students who would not otherwise be able to take this course. No-pay spots are selected via a randomized drawing two weeks before each section begins. For more information and to apply for a no-pay spot, please click here. To learn more about our pricing model and randomized selection process for no-pay spots, please visit our FAQ page.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS

Please take a moment to review our community guidelines for students, which aim to share our classroom ethos and help set the stage for the best possible learning experience.

ACCESSIBILITY

We provide closed captioning for all of our courses and can share transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions, requests, or accessibility needs.

ATLAS OBSCURA ONLINE COURSES

Atlas Obscura Courses offer opportunities for participants to emerge with new skills, knowledge, connections, and perspectives through multi-session classes designed and taught by expert instructors. To learn more about our current course offerings, please visit www.atlasobscura.com/online-courses. For answers to commonly asked questions, check out our FAQ page here.

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