Physics Department to host extraterrestrial life event

Jacob Runnels

The Department of Physics is preparing to put on a presentation, “The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence” April 17 and 18 for awareness of the search for life beyond Earth at 8 p.m. in Smith Hall, Rm. 108.

Brett Ellman, associate professor of physics and planetarium director and organizer for the event, said that after the original event scheduling of Feb. 19, 20 and 21 was canceled due to snow, the event is ready to pick back up again.

“A lot of people are fascinated by the idea of living creatures elsewhere in the universe,” Ellman said. “[There will be] an emphasis on how people are looking for life elsewhere in the universe and not just Earth.”

Ellman said the event will focus on life in other areas of the universe, accompanied by pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope. It will be an event that will try to emphasize the scientific side of discovery of life.

“Hollywood and popular culture are very big on aliens,” Ellman said. “So I thought it would be nice to give the scientific side of things and how we’re actually looking for them.”

Ellman said that everyone is welcome, but children under the age of six are recommended to not attend.

For more information on the event, click here.

Contact Jacob Runnels at [email protected].