'Are We Alone in the Cosmos?' Asks Science Unwrapped Friday, Oct. 26

Since humans first gazed up at the stars, we’ve asked ourselves, “Are we alone?” Many have theorized an answer to this question, including Aristotle, Galileo and their contemporary peers, including American astrophysicist Frank Drake.

“In the last century, we began a mathematical journey guided by the Drake Equation,” says Utah State University physicist Tonya Triplett. “Drake’s equation asks the question ‘Are we alone?’ in terms of many fields of science and framed the new science of Astro-Biology.”

Triplett, principle lecturer in USU’s Department of Physics and long-time lecturer of the course, “Intelligent Life in the Universe,” presents “Cosmologic,” for USU’s Science Unwrapped program, Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m in the Emert Auditorium, Room 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center on USU’s Logan campus. 

Hosted by USU’s College of Science, admission to the public outreach program is free and all ages are welcome. Refreshments and hands-on learning activities conducted by USU students and faculty members, along with community groups, follow Triplett’s talk, which is the second presentation of Science Unwrapped’s 10th anniversary “Powers of 10” series.

“We’ll discuss how big numbers increase or decrease our chances of having contact with alien life,” Triplett says. “Powers of 10 play an important role in how we structure our search and its possible outcome.”

Initiated by the college in February 2009, Science Unwrapped introduces science in a relaxed, entertaining manner. Presentations begin with a brief lecture, followed by hands-on learning activities and refreshments. Each event draws several hundred guests, with attendees ranging from preschoolers to senior citizens.

For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the ‘Science Unwrapped at USU’ Facebook page.