Thursday, August 27, 2009

Science Fiction Museum at the EMP  |  325 5th Ave N, Seattle
Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 | Reception: 6:30 - 7:00 | Program: 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Online registration for this event has closed, but walk-in attendees will be welcome at the event.

A conversation featuring:

	Dr. Don Brownlee, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington		Dr. Jill Tarter, Director of the Institute’s Center for SETI Research, Bernard M. Oliver Chair, SETI Institute
	Moderated by: Keith Seinfeld, Health & Science Reporter, KPLU 88.5

Are we just searching for stardust, or are intelligent beings out there somewhere? Dr. Tarter, on whom the Jodie Foster character in the movie “Contact” is largely based, is a 2009 TED Award recipient. The TED Prize goes to thought-provoking, action-oriented individuals who have a good chance to change the world as we know it, and each winner is encouraged to "make a wish" for the change they want to see. Jill Tarter wished to "empower Earthlings everywhere to become active participants in the ultimate search for cosmic company.” Dr. Brownlee is PI of the NASA's Stardust comet sample return mission and works on cosmic dust, comets, astrobiology and STARDUST - a NASA Discovery mission to collect samples from a comet and bring them back to Earth. Dr. Brownlee co-authored a book titled " Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe".

Given their different stances, how are each conducting their research, and what sorts of specialized instruments are being used? If life does exist, where do they think it will be found and in what form? Should we bring back soil samples from Mars to test for life? What kind of funding is being allocated to the search, and what have they discovered to date or on the horizon that we might not know about? Join us for dessert, coffee* and thought provoking conversation. And don't forget your own questions for these experts as we discuss the possibility of life existing in our Solar System or beyond!

*No host bar will be available

Thanks to our -

Event chair: Dennis Schatz

Supporting sponsor: Experience Music Project | Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame

Co-presenting organizations: Boeing Employees' Astronomical Society, Everett Astronomical Society, Northwest Science Writers Association, Pacific Science Center, Washington NASA Space Grant.