The Search for Life

Are we alone in the universe? This is a fundamental question that intrigues us all.

On September 21, 2016, NASA scientists and stakeholders came together at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum for a presentation on the agency’s search for life beyond Earth.

“The Search for Life” featured presentations from some of NASA’s leading scientists, including the late former astronaut, Dr. Piers Sellers. Through compelling visualizations, “The Search for Life” takes you on a journey through the solar system and beyond, exploring the possibility of life existing on Mars, the solar system’s outer moons, and exoplanets.

Keynote speakers include:
· John P. Holdren, assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology;
· Gavin A. Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and principal investigator for the GISS ModelE Earth System Model;
· Jen Eigenbrode, research astrobiologist in the Goddard Planetary Environments Laboratory;
· Aki Roberge, research astrophysicist in the Goddard Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Laboratory; and
· Piers Sellers, deputy director of the Goddard Sciences and Exploration Directorate.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Swarupa Nune

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[athanasiosklidaras]

That was really good- a relatively quick, easy to understand explanation of what we're doing now, and what we're going to do in the future to find life. I'm going to recommend this to my friends now!

[adc]

This was amazing. Thank you for uploading it.

[terry]

Really enjoyed this presentation... It was presented in a way that kept it interesting by changing presenters to cover different aspects of the way life may or may not develop in the universe... Need more like this NASA... Thanks to all for your important work and dedication.

[jusTRiPP]

NASA needs a larger budget than it currently does

[AZeus]

This is wonderful! Thank you for presenting and sharing!!

[Clint_Moto]

Great Presentation. Its a shame that this isnt floodet with millions of views.

[procrasti]

Great talks! Awe inspiring animations with some insights into future missions and plans. More of those please

[hockmengyong]

Really great presentations. Glad I came across this. Looking forward to more updates from NASA.

[pryda_mau]

This should have more attention than many things on earth which are extremely stupid.

[Maxat]

Great video. I'd like to find out more about our current limitations. I know we've been using radiowaves (or detection thereof) to probe for signs of life. What are the limitations to this technique?

[rameezramses]

Lets see what kind of knowladge does this documantry will provide to gain ....

[thesecondislander]

Fascinating stuff! Sorry about the comment section, though :*D

[vipermustang]

"Super-doper, " real technical there.

[rameezramses]

Well look how opportunity shocked nasa about that discovery. ..

[dfghj]

at the 3 minute mark he talks that the early life wasn't something to look at, all the while the image presented of such early life was one of modern diatoms, rather complex lifeforms that couldn't in anyway have existed 3 billion years ago.

[kevinerickson]

these things are here, why aren't we searching right here, I have proof

[Rem_u]

Можете в крацее рассказать, что он там говорил

[Ravedaze.]

Does anyone think that if we find life it would welcome us with open arms... or an open mouth?

[Scotian]

60 minutes in one degree.. 60 seconds in a minute.. 1.296 million divisions.. just look at the tolerances on certified gage blocks.. it gets a little insane on the master to gage the certifications..

one arc second at 33 light years.. 1/24 000 000 000 of 200yards. If its .003" the average thickness of a sheet of paper

[killerontheroad]

What's the point, we're alone in the universe.