Will Contact With Non-Human Intelligence Involve Aliens or AI?
Distinctions between AI and human intelligence might offer a first taste of what we may one day encounter with the discovery of ET technology.
extraterrestrials
Synthetic Cells That Mimic Biology Could Offer Clues on Mysteries of Life, its Origins, and Extraterrestrials
Scientists are making progress in the development of synthetic cells capable of emulating the biological processes of living systems, which could expand our knowledge of life’s essential functions and potentially offer new clues about the origins of life on Earth.
Only a Matter of ‘Time’: On Einstein, Negative Mass, Time Travel and Aliens
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb discusses Einstein, negative mass, extraterrestrials, and the allure of time travel.
Complexity Nurtures Intelligence: A Complex Reality Shaped by Gravity, Life, and AI
Increasing complexity could provide insights into future technological advancements and the potential for encountering extraterrestrial intelligence.
Can Starship-like Chemical Rockets Escape Habitable Exoplanets?
Avi Loeb looks at SpaceX's ambitions, the exploration of habitable exoplanets like TRAPPIST-1d, and the broader implications for human space travel and settlement.
Communication and the Cosmos: The Power of Language in Advancing Civilizations
Humans evolved from chimpanzees and reached the Moon by developing a language. But why is communication so advantageous for the evolution of a species?
Intelligence: The Path Toward Exponential Growth
What is the mark of a genius? The ability to reach a solution through an unforeseen shortcut instead of a random walk or an elaborate effort.
Aliens: A Scientist’s Search for ET
This week we are joined by astrophysicist Adam Frank, an expert on star formation and author of the new book "The Little Book of Aliens."
Could Advanced Civilizations Weaponize Black Holes?
Fortunately for those who favor interstellar peace, there is a major practical hurdle for manufacturing black holes technologically.
Discovering Extraterrestrials Offers Benefits, Not An Existential Risk
In 2010, Stephen Hawking warned that aliens might pose an existential risk to humanity, and that we should therefore be careful about broadcasting our existence to interstellar space.
Are Intelligent Extraterrestrials Hiding from Us? In Fact, it Might Be the Other Way Around
Could intelligent aliens be hiding from us? A new research paper asks if a unique astronomical phenomenon could effectively hide Earth from any friendly aliens' view.
Interstellar Archaeology: The Search for Non-Terrestrial Artifacts
If anomalous, non-terrestrial artifacts exist in space, using the best tools at our disposal through "interstellar archaeology" may find them.
Panspermia: Meteors and Spores to the Fore
What is the evidence for the controversial theory of panspermia? Could simple forms of life really survive in outer space?
Communicating with Extraterrestrials
In this inaugural installment of "Our Cosmic Neighborhood", Avi Loeb gives us perspectives on the challenges presented by any future attempts at communication with extraterrestrials.
In this inaugural installment of "Our Cosmic Neighborhood", Avi Loeb gives us perspectives on the challenges presented by any future attempts at communication with extraterrestrials.
In this inaugural installment of "Our Cosmic Neighborhood", Avi Loeb gives us perspectives on the challenges presented by any future attempts at communicating with extraterrestrials.
Mind the Gap: A Lesson in Cosmic Stoicism
If human beings ever locate and interact with an extraterrestrial civilization, how will we play 'realpolitik' with them?
Something is Producing Radio Waves in the Heart of the Milky Way, and it Has Astronomers Baffled
Strange radio waves detected by astronomers in recent days have led some to believe that a hidden stellar object may be lurking near the center of the Milky Way.
Forget Extraterrestrials: What if UFOs Were Piloted by Dolphins?
Crazy? Perhaps... but hear me out.
Crazy? Perhaps... but hear me out.
While many scientists downplay the idea of extraterrestrials visiting Earth, looking at a seemingly crazy alternative hypothesis makes for an interesting thought experiment.
Complex Life May Prefer Planets Tilted on Their Axis, Says New Research
Planets tilted on their axis may be more capable of sustaining life, according to new research presented at the Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference.
New Research Suggests We Could Conquer the Galaxy In Under A Billion Years
An alien civilization, or even humans, may soon be able to conquer the entire galaxy... a feat that would only require a billion years to complete.
Meet The Scientists Hunting for Alien Technology Through ‘Technosignatures’
The scientists who search for extraterrestrial technosignatures are coming up in the astronomy world and they want you to know it.