The Search for Extra-terrestrial Life
Larry Molnar and Loren Haarsma, Professors of Physics and Astronomy
Minds in the Making

This presentation was given at Calvin College in December 2006, in the Christian Perspectives in Science Seminar Series.

As of now, there is no evidence of life beyond earth. But within the last decade, astronomers have discovered over a hundred planets in other solar systems, and they are on the verge of being technically capable of detecting earth-like planets (if any exist) in nearby star systems. In this talk, we will review the current status of the search for extra-solar planets, as well as the search for life beyond earth in our own solar system. We'll also review current hypotheses, both scientific and theological, for how life first arose on earth. Then we'll turn to the question: If extraterrestrial life – even single-celled life – was discovered, what would be some of the scientific and theological consequences?

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