Lecture: Exoplanets and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life

Lecture: Exoplanets and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
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Dear Reader,
On Friday evening, January 15, 2027, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Prof. Dr. Ignas Snellen of Leiden University will give a lecture:


Lecture: Exoplanets and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life


The lecture will take place at Het Groene Huis in Amersfoort and is organized by Sterrenwacht Midden-Nederland.

About the lecture:
Are we alone in the universe?
For centuries, people have been asking this fascinating question. Thanks to the spectacular discovery of many exoplanets, we now know that planets orbiting other stars are quite common. But does that also mean that life exists somewhere else?
During this inspiring lecture, Prof. Dr. Ignas Snellen, scientific director of the Leiden Observatory and winner of the Spinoza Prize, will take you to the frontiers of modern astronomy.
You’ll discover:
how astronomers detect exoplanets;
how we can study the atmospheres of distant planets;
why liquid water is so important for life;
which locations in our own solar system are promising for simple life;
and how new telescopes are bringing us ever closer to answering the question: Are we alone in the universe?
Using impressive images and clear explanations, Ignas Snellen shows how the search for extraterrestrial life has evolved from science fiction into serious science. Perhaps in the coming decades we will witness one of the greatest discoveries in history: the first evidence of life beyond Earth.
This lecture is suitable for anyone interested in astronomy, space exploration, and science. No prior knowledge is required.

About the Speaker

Prof. Dr. Ignas Snellen is the scientific director of the Leiden Observatory and is known worldwide for his research on exoplanets. He developed innovative techniques for studying the atmospheres of distant planets and received the Spinoza Prize in 2022, the highest Dutch award for scientific research.
Photo Credits: Illustration: Unsplash (NASA and ESA); Science: NASA, ESA, and D. Sing (University of Exeter)


Practical Information:


Location: Het Groene Huis in Amersfoort.
Address: Schothorsterlaan 21, 3822 NA Amersfoort.
Date: Friday, January 15, 2027.
Time: 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) to 10:00 p.m.
Admission: €7.50 – Free for members!
Register via Eventbrite Link:
https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/lezing-exoplaneten-en-de-zoektocht-naar-buitenaards-leven-tickets-1997807042644?aff=tva

Best regards,
Belal Shadid
On behalf of the P&O Working Group
Sterrenwacht Midden-Nederland