The science of life in the neighborhood: and beyond

UC Santa Cruz is bringing Science in the Neighborhood to South County! Join us for our first event in Aptos. Presentation by Natalie Batalha, Professor, UC Santa Cruz Are we alone in the universe? Answering that question begins surprisingly close to home. Earth has been many different planets over its long history, offering clues about how life begins, evolves, and ultimately transforms the world around it. Beyond Earth, the question leads us to the icy moons of the solar system where hidden oceans may harbor environments suitable for life. And if alien moons weren’t enticing enough, the galaxy beckons with billions of planets orbiting other stars. For the first time in human history, we are developing tools that could search nearby worlds for signs of life. Connecting these questions—how life begins and where else we might find it—is the science of astrobiology. In this talk, we’ll explore these questions and meet the researchers at UC Santa Cruz turning age-old speculation about alien life into a scientific search for evidence. Professor Batalha is a professor and the director of the Santa Cruz Center for Astrobiology , which aims to advance interdisciplinary research and academic opportunities focused on the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. The presentation will be followed by a live Q&A. Free and open to the public. The event is in-person only. Register to attend. Location: Santa Cruz County Communication Foundation 7807 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 Parking and capacity: Carpooling is recommended, as there are only 30 parking spaces in the main lot. Overflow parking is available at the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center across the street. Science In the Neighborhood is a public lecture series hosted quarterly by the UC Santa Cruz Science Division.

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