The Carl Sagan Institute embarked on a journey to discover both known and undiscovered worlds, and its inauguration was held on May 9, 2015, from 9 am to 6 pm at Kennedy Hall, Cornell University. The event marked a significant milestone in our pursuit of knowledge about planets and the potential for life beyond our Pale Blue Dot.
Exploring the cosmos
During the inauguration, participants had the opportunity to delve into the mysteries of the cosmos and explore fascinating questions, such as:
- What was it like to find the first exoplanets around dead stars and Sun-like stars?
- What were the major obstacles that needed to be overcome to launch the groundbreaking Kepler mission?
- What are the limits of extreme life on Earth, and could similar life forms exist on other worlds?
- What do the newest Kepler results reveal about planets and our place in the universe?
- How does the question of the “origins of life” connect to the search for exoplanets?
The journey unfolds
On that momentous day, hundreds of people gathered at Cornell University to be part of the excitement surrounding the search for planets around other stars and to ponder the profound question of whether we are alone in the vast universe. Distinguished international speakers shared their insights and experiences in the pursuit of the first exoplanets, along with the latest discoveries related to Pale Blue Dots. Attendees were captivated by inspiring talks and gained valuable perspectives on the possibilities that lie beyond our world.
The schedule
The day was divided into two sessions, each offering an array of thought-provoking discussions:
Morning Session (9 am – noon):
- Welcome Address
- Pale Blue Dot and Beyond by Ann Druyan (Writer/Producer)
- Holy Toledo! Is That a Planet? by Dave Latham, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA
- A Graveyard Resurrected Star & Its 2nd Chance Planet by Aleksander Wolszczan, Penn State Univ.
- Some Planets Like It Hot by Didier Queloz, Univ. Cambridge, UK
- Kepler: Pushing a Rock Uphill & Watching It Roll Down by Bill Borucki, NASA AMES
Afternoon Session (2 pm – 6 pm):
- Planets for Goldilocks & Kepler’s Discoveries by Natalie Batalha, NASA AMES
- Four Suspects to Search for Life in Our Solar System by Jonathan Lunine, Cornell
- Life in the Cosmos: What Does It Take? by Dimitar Sasselov, Harvard
- From Extremophiles to Star Trek: The Use of Synthetic Biology in Astrobiology by Lynn Rothschild, NASA AMES
- Exploring Pale Blue Dots in the Night Sky by Lisa Kaltenegger, Cornell
- Panel of Speakers – Q&A session moderated by Steve Squire, Cornell
The distinguished speakers
The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers who have made significant contributions to the field of planetary exploration and the search for life beyond Earth. Some of the esteemed speakers included:
- Ann Druyan (Writer/Producer)
- Dave Latham (Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, astronomer)
- Aleksander Wolszczan (director, Center for Exoplanets & Habitable Worlds, Pennsylvania State University)
- Didier Queloz (Cambridge University, astronomer)
- Bill Borucki (NASA Ames, PI Kepler Mission)
- Natalie Batalha (NASA Ames, Kepler mission scientist)
- Jonathan Lunine (director, Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University)
- Dimitar Sasselov (director, Harvard Origins of Life Initiative)
- Lynn Rothschild (NASA Ames, evolutionary biologist)
- Lisa Kaltenegger (director, Institute for Pale Blue Dots, Cornell University)
The Inauguration of the Carl Sagan Institute was a remarkable event that brought together enthusiasts and experts to celebrate our ongoing journey of discovery and exploration of the cosmos. We are grateful to all those who participated and contributed to the success of this momentous occasion. As we move forward, the Carl Sagan Institute remains committed to pushing the boundaries of our understanding and unraveling the secrets of the universe we call home.
