Are We Alone In The Universe?

FromIFLScience - The Big Questions

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Are We Alone In The Universe?

FromIFLScience - The Big Questions

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23 minutes

Released:

Sep 2, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

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From extraterrestrial intelligence to simple life forms, the Universe might be teeming with life. Can we find and communicate with these life forms? IFLScience spoke to Dr Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute to tackle the fundamental question: are we alone in the Universe?

Released:

Sep 2, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (28)

From saving the planet to understanding ourselves, this podcast will see experts discuss the major topics of our times. Hosted by IFLScience senior science writer Dr Alfredo Carpineti

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Are We Alone In The Universe?: From extraterrestrial intelligence to simple life forms, the Universe might be teeming with life. Can we find and communicate with these life forms? IFLScience spoke to Dr Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute to tackle the fundamental qu... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
23 min listen
What Is Consciousness?: Of all the mysteries of the universe, none is closer to us as human beings than this one: what is consciousness? How does our brain turn electrical signals into thoughts and feelings? In this episode, host Dr Alfredo Carpineti and Professor Liad Mudrik f... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
41 min listen
The Big Questions Trailer: A little teaser for our upcoming podcast by IFLScience - The Big Questions
1 min listen
What Is The Universe Made Of?: Everything we see and interact with, regular matter, is only a small fraction of what the universe contains. In fact, the vast majority of the universe is invisible to us. We've named these mysterious components dark matter and dark energy, but our under... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
41 min listen
$What Is The Universe Made Of?: Everything we see and interact with, regular matter, is only a small fraction of what the universe contains. In fact, the vast majority of the universe is invisible to us. We've named these mysterious components dark matter and dark energy, but our under...$
Can We Stop Or Reverse Climate Change?: The climate crisis is unfolding around us with extreme weather events becoming more common and living organisms having to survive or perish in a changing world. In this episode, host Dr Alfredo Carpineti sat down with Dr Alexandre Kōberle, a research fel... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
15 min listen
Can Humans Live Forever?: We live in a society that idolizes youth for sure, but also with age comes wisdom. However, aging is not all it’s cracked up to be. Could we keep getting older without the drawbacks of being old? Other animals do it, so maybe one day it could apply to hu... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
24 min listen
How Will The Universe End?: Studying the Universe told us the cosmos began with the Big Bang. But how will everything end? In a cold and desolate nothingness? Or will everything collapse back into itself in a Big Crunch? In this episode, host Dr Alfredo Carpineti is joined by theor... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
15 min listen
Why Is The Universe Made Of Matter And Not Antimatter?: Everything we see, from galaxies to capybaras, is made of matter. But matter has a mirrored version of itself known as antimatter. If the two come into contact they annihilate one another, turning into pure energy. Why does the universe prefer one over t... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
24 min listen
How Do We Know When A Species Is Extinct?: It’s no secret that species extinction and biodiversity loss are making our environment increasingly less stable. As it feels like we inch closer to waving goodbye to threatened animals like the Javan rhino, a question springs to mind: How do we know whe... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
18 min listen
Can We Achieve Unlimited Energy?: Humanity's ever-growing need for energy has led to a world that is dramatically changing, ravaged by extreme weather events. The way we get power has to change. Our question in this episode is about a potential new approach. Can we master nuclear fusion ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
31 min listen
Is The Future Of Farming Underwater?: As the human population increases so too does our demand for food, but in the face of the climate crisis scientists are seeking alternative and sustainable solutions to traditional agricultural practices. In this episode of IFLScience, The Big Questions,... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
29 min listen
Is Math The Greatest Subject In The World?: In school, math is one of those polarizing subjects that people either love or hate. For each person complaining they will never use Pythagoras theorem outside of class, there is somebody else pointing out that math is actually about learning skills like... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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What Is Ancient Ice Telling Us About The Future?: There are many methods that allow us to look back into Earth’s past and study its climate, including the collection of ice cores. Extracting ancient ice from deep inside some of the most remote glaciers can reveal how our planet has changed over mill... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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How Is Climate Change Affecting Polar Bear Populations?: Polar bears have long been the poster animal and early warning system for all things climate change. We asked experts what is really going on with the “white hairy canaries” of the Arctic. Host Eleanor Higgs spoke with Alysa McCall, Polar Bears Inte... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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How Does Your Diet Impact The Body’s Ability To Fight Disease?: What and how we eat plays a huge role in keeping us healthy. The role of diet in helping us when we are fighting off diseases is also enormous, but not discussed often enough. Dr Alfredo Carpineti sat down with Dr William Li to talk about cutting-edge re... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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How Does Imagination Work?: Every second of every day, whether we’re actively aware of it or not, we’re using our imagination: from what we might have for dinner to life on other worlds. But how can our brains conjure up stuff that we are not looking at or even images of things tha... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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What Are The Limits Of Computers And Supercomputers?: Computers and supercomputers, whether we like them or not, run our lives. They have revolutionized every aspect of society and we rely on their technology to push beyond our limits. But what about their limits? What are they, when will we reach them... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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Is Jurassic Park Possible?: In the 30 years since the Spielberg movie came out, people from all walks of life have wondered if bringing back dinosaurs is possible, and we couldn’t let the anniversary pass without asking scientists working on dinosaurs and cloning if such a feat... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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What Do Alcohol and Drugs Do To The Brain?: For as long as humans have walked this Earth, we have been using chemicals to alter our state of mind. Drugs and alcohol have been used in rituals and medication, for inspiration and escapism, as well as a way to cope with the world. Only in more rec... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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Why Is Space Junk Such A Big Deal?: Space junk is a problem and it’s only set to get worse. In 2018, there were over 2,000 satellites in orbit. Now, thanks to mega-constellations like Starlink, there are 9,000 satellites, and by the end of the decade, this number is expected to reach 6... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
11 min listen
Can We Save A Species On The Very Brink Of Extinction?: In this age of climate change, habitat loss, and destruction of the natural world, we take an in-depth look at one endangered species in particular: the northern white rhino. Just two females remain in the world and neither are capable of carrying a ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
25 min listen
How Does A Quantum Computer Work And How Will They Change The World?: The path beyond the limits of regular computers, even the most powerful supercomputer, lies with the theory of quantum mechanics. Quantum computing promises to change the world, but how do quantum computers work, and how close are we to this fabled n... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
33 min listen
What Is Space Weather And How Does It Affect Us?: The Sun shapes what goes on in space around our planet. Plasma from our star is continuously thrown at Earth in the form of solar winds or coronal mass ejections, changing the shape of the magnetic field, and affecting the atmosphere and anything in ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
16 min listen
IFLScience - Break It Down: Here is a little teaser for our brand new podcast: Break It Down! Coming soon to a podcast app near you... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
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Are E-fuels The Future Of Aviation?: As much as everyone enjoys flying abroad for their holidays, the cost of the climate impact might be making people think twice. So what can we do? Aside from paying to offset the carbon, the emergence of a new industry is hoping to change the way we ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
35 min listen
Are we ready for the next massive solar flare?: olar activity goes through cycles. The main one is about 11 years long and its maximum is marked by powerful eruptions of electromagnetic radiation known as solar flares, as well as releases of plasma known as coronal mass ejections. The most powerfu... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
23 min listen
How Are Glaciers Changing In A Warming World?: The climate crisis is affecting glaciers across the world in myriad ways. Dramatic melting, steep declines, and overall reduction in mass are some of the changes seen in both polar glaciers and the mountainous peaks of every continent. Understanding ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
13 min listen
Would You Eat Plant-Based Meat For Christmas Dinner?: During the holiday season, many of us will be tucking into delicious meals which may well include a whole host of meats. But have you ever thought about going meat-free this time of year? With concerns over the impact of meat consumption on the plane... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
34 min listen

More Episodes from IFLScience - The Big Questions

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IFLScience - Break It Down: Here is a little teaser for our brand new podcast: Break It Down! Coming soon to a podcast app near you... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
2 min listen
Would You Eat Plant-Based Meat For Christmas Dinner?: During the holiday season, many of us will be tucking into delicious meals which may well include a whole host of meats. But have you ever thought about going meat-free this time of year? With concerns over the impact of meat consumption on the plane... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
34 min listen
Are we ready for the next massive solar flare?: olar activity goes through cycles. The main one is about 11 years long and its maximum is marked by powerful eruptions of electromagnetic radiation known as solar flares, as well as releases of plasma known as coronal mass ejections. The most powerfu... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
23 min listen
How Are Glaciers Changing In A Warming World?: The climate crisis is affecting glaciers across the world in myriad ways. Dramatic melting, steep declines, and overall reduction in mass are some of the changes seen in both polar glaciers and the mountainous peaks of every continent. Understanding ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
13 min listen
Are E-fuels The Future Of Aviation?: As much as everyone enjoys flying abroad for their holidays, the cost of the climate impact might be making people think twice. So what can we do? Aside from paying to offset the carbon, the emergence of a new industry is hoping to change the way we ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
35 min listen
What Is Ancient Ice Telling Us About The Future?: There are many methods that allow us to look back into Earth’s past and study its climate, including the collection of ice cores. Extracting ancient ice from deep inside some of the most remote glaciers can reveal how our planet has changed over mill... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
11 min listen
What Is Space Weather And How Does It Affect Us?: The Sun shapes what goes on in space around our planet. Plasma from our star is continuously thrown at Earth in the form of solar winds or coronal mass ejections, changing the shape of the magnetic field, and affecting the atmosphere and anything in ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
16 min listen
How Does A Quantum Computer Work And How Will They Change The World?: The path beyond the limits of regular computers, even the most powerful supercomputer, lies with the theory of quantum mechanics. Quantum computing promises to change the world, but how do quantum computers work, and how close are we to this fabled n... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
33 min listen
Can We Save A Species On The Very Brink Of Extinction?: In this age of climate change, habitat loss, and destruction of the natural world, we take an in-depth look at one endangered species in particular: the northern white rhino. Just two females remain in the world and neither are capable of carrying a ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
25 min listen
Why Is Space Junk Such A Big Deal?: Space junk is a problem and it’s only set to get worse. In 2018, there were over 2,000 satellites in orbit. Now, thanks to mega-constellations like Starlink, there are 9,000 satellites, and by the end of the decade, this number is expected to reach 6... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
11 min listen
How Is Climate Change Affecting Polar Bear Populations?: Polar bears have long been the poster animal and early warning system for all things climate change. We asked experts what is really going on with the “white hairy canaries” of the Arctic. Host Eleanor Higgs spoke with Alysa McCall, Polar Bears Inte... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
16 min listen
Is Jurassic Park Possible?: In the 30 years since the Spielberg movie came out, people from all walks of life have wondered if bringing back dinosaurs is possible, and we couldn’t let the anniversary pass without asking scientists working on dinosaurs and cloning if such a feat... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
19 min listen
What Do Alcohol and Drugs Do To The Brain?: For as long as humans have walked this Earth, we have been using chemicals to alter our state of mind. Drugs and alcohol have been used in rituals and medication, for inspiration and escapism, as well as a way to cope with the world. Only in more rec... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
13 min listen
What Are The Limits Of Computers And Supercomputers?: Computers and supercomputers, whether we like them or not, run our lives. They have revolutionized every aspect of society and we rely on their technology to push beyond our limits. But what about their limits? What are they, when will we reach them... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
25 min listen
How Does Your Diet Impact The Body’s Ability To Fight Disease?: What and how we eat plays a huge role in keeping us healthy. The role of diet in helping us when we are fighting off diseases is also enormous, but not discussed often enough. Dr Alfredo Carpineti sat down with Dr William Li to talk about cutting-edge re... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
31 min listen
Is Math The Greatest Subject In The World?: In school, math is one of those polarizing subjects that people either love or hate. For each person complaining they will never use Pythagoras theorem outside of class, there is somebody else pointing out that math is actually about learning skills like... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
14 min listen
How Does Imagination Work?: Every second of every day, whether we’re actively aware of it or not, we’re using our imagination: from what we might have for dinner to life on other worlds. But how can our brains conjure up stuff that we are not looking at or even images of things tha... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
25 min listen
Why Is The Universe Made Of Matter And Not Antimatter?: Everything we see, from galaxies to capybaras, is made of matter. But matter has a mirrored version of itself known as antimatter. If the two come into contact they annihilate one another, turning into pure energy. Why does the universe prefer one over t... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
24 min listen
How Do We Know When A Species Is Extinct?: It’s no secret that species extinction and biodiversity loss are making our environment increasingly less stable. As it feels like we inch closer to waving goodbye to threatened animals like the Javan rhino, a question springs to mind: How do we know whe... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
18 min listen
Can Humans Live Forever?: We live in a society that idolizes youth for sure, but also with age comes wisdom. However, aging is not all it’s cracked up to be. Could we keep getting older without the drawbacks of being old? Other animals do it, so maybe one day it could apply to hu... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
24 min listen
Is The Future Of Farming Underwater?: As the human population increases so too does our demand for food, but in the face of the climate crisis scientists are seeking alternative and sustainable solutions to traditional agricultural practices. In this episode of IFLScience, The Big Questions,... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
29 min listen
How Will The Universe End?: Studying the Universe told us the cosmos began with the Big Bang. But how will everything end? In a cold and desolate nothingness? Or will everything collapse back into itself in a Big Crunch? In this episode, host Dr Alfredo Carpineti is joined by theor... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
15 min listen
What Is The Universe Made Of?: Everything we see and interact with, regular matter, is only a small fraction of what the universe contains. In fact, the vast majority of the universe is invisible to us. We've named these mysterious components dark matter and dark energy, but our under... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
41 min listen
$What Is The Universe Made Of?: Everything we see and interact with, regular matter, is only a small fraction of what the universe contains. In fact, the vast majority of the universe is invisible to us. We've named these mysterious components dark matter and dark energy, but our under...$
Can We Achieve Unlimited Energy?: Humanity's ever-growing need for energy has led to a world that is dramatically changing, ravaged by extreme weather events. The way we get power has to change. Our question in this episode is about a potential new approach. Can we master nuclear fusion ... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
31 min listen
What Is Consciousness?: Of all the mysteries of the universe, none is closer to us as human beings than this one: what is consciousness? How does our brain turn electrical signals into thoughts and feelings? In this episode, host Dr Alfredo Carpineti and Professor Liad Mudrik f... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
41 min listen
Can We Stop Or Reverse Climate Change?: The climate crisis is unfolding around us with extreme weather events becoming more common and living organisms having to survive or perish in a changing world. In this episode, host Dr Alfredo Carpineti sat down with Dr Alexandre Kōberle, a research fel... by IFLScience - The Big Questions
15 min listen
The Big Questions Trailer: A little teaser for our upcoming podcast by IFLScience - The Big Questions
1 min listen

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Are We Alone In The Universe?

Are We Alone In The Universe?

Description

Titles in the series (28)

More Episodes from IFLScience - The Big Questions

Related podcast episodes