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BIG ARTS lecture about life beyond Earth

3 min read

Life outside of earth.

Is it possible?

Or is it just some fanciful notion thought up by dreamers?

Though there are no concrete answers, one man is working to some day shed some light on the question.

Dr. Paul Davies a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist, best-selling author, professor at Arizona State University and Director of the BEYOND Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science, will becoming to Sanibel to speak about his research in the origins of the universe, the origin of life, and searching for life beyond earth.

BIG ARTS is hosting Davies on Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. He will talk about his research in the origins of the universe, the origin of life, and searching for life beyond earth.

Davies soft British accent raises a few octaves as he chats about his work. He said he wants to excite people about the work being done to learn about the possibilities of other life within the universe.

“We are on the case,” Davies said.

His research ranges from the origin of the universe to the origin of life, and includes the properties of black holes, the nature of time and quantum field theory. He is the former chair of SETI the task group searching for life beyond the earth, which was featured in Carl Sagan’s science fiction drama, Contact. Davies latest book is “The Goldilocks Enigma: Why is the Universe Just Right for Life”?

“There is hope that we might have answers to these questions,” he said.

BIG ARTS Board President Chuck Ketteman said he and the other board members decided to invite Davies to round out this year’s New Frontiers Health and Science Lecture Program series. Earlier programs in the month featured the works of Dr. Richard Klausner, who will spoke about the genetic revolution and

Dr. Gene Cohen, author of The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain will speak about how the brain ages and in many cases gets smarter on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Next year plans are underway to invite experts in the field of nanotechnology, stem cell studies and sustainable technology.

Davies program about ETs and life outside of Earth is the wrap-up to this season’s hard sciences lecture series.

“We wanted to do something that was just different,” Ketteman said. “What a fascinating individual (Davies) to talk about life outside of earth.”

Tickets sales for the series to date have been strong and Ketteman anticipates a good turnout for Davies program.

“I think were going to find the community is going to eat this up,” Ketteman said.

Dr. Paul Davies’ lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. General admission: $25, students $10. Call for group discount rates.

For further information about programs at BIG ARTS, to purchase tickets, to sign up for workshops, or to become a member, stop by BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, call 395-0900, e-mail info@BIGARTS.org, or log on to www.BIGARTS.org.