Talks and shows

Planet hunting in the cosmos

Delve into the science of cosmic exploration with founding director of the Carl Sagan Institute, Lisa Kaltenegger

A artistic view of the cosmos
Miriam Espacio via Pexels

The cosmic mystery of extraterrestrial life has captivated humanity for centuries. Now, with leading-edge technology, the quest for tangible answers begins. Lisa Kaltenegger, founding director of Cornell University's Carl Sagan Institute, has assembled a multidisciplinary team of experts to craft a specialised toolkit for extraterrestrial exploration. 

Lisa will take us on an enthralling journey across the Universe, utilising her theory that Earth can be used as a Rosetta Stone to decode the potential for life on distant planets. In this talk, we'll discover some of the most extraordinary exoplanets, from those veiled in oceans of lava to solitary nomads adrift in space to others basking under the light of multiple suns. 

Delve into the intriguing possibility of detecting life beyond our home planet and explore the possibility that the answers may lay hidden in these mysterious worlds orbiting foreign stars. 

Copies of Lisa's latest book 'Alien Earths: Planet Hunting in the Cosmos' are available to purchase after the talk. 

Event type

This is a theatre only event where the speakers and audience are together in our Theatre.

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. Please note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Lisa Kaltenegger

Lisa Kaltenegger
Via Wikipedia

Lisa Kaltenegger is the Director of the Carl Sagan Institute to Search for Life in the Cosmos at Cornell and Associate Professor in Astronomy. She is a pioneer and world-leading expert in modelling potential habitable worlds and their detectable spectral fingerprint. Her research focuses on rocky planets circling other stars, with a focus on potentially Earth-like exoplanets in the Habitable Zone. Lisa also serves among others on the National Science Foundation's Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC), and on NASA senior review of operating missions. She is a Science Team Member of NASA's TESS Mission as well as the NIRISS instrument on JWST. Named one of America’s Young Innovators by Smithsonian Magazine, an Innovator to Watch by TIME Magazine Lisa was selected as one of the European Commission’s Role Models for Women in Science and Research.  She is part of the IMAX 3D movie "The Search for Life in Space" and gives public lectures, including at Aspen Ideas Festival, TED Youth, World Science Festival and the Kavli Foundation lecture at the Adler Planetarium which was live-streamed to 6 continents. Asteroid Kaltenegger7734 is named after her.

 

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions