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Explore The Universe | Kouwenhoven | TEDxYouth@Suzhou


good afternoon my name is ty Scott one

good afternoon my name is ty Scott one oven what do I mean to her once I and I

oven what do I mean to her once I and I

oven what do I mean to her once I and I work here in Sioux Joe as an

work here in Sioux Joe as an

work here in Sioux Joe as an astrophysicist my work is to study the

astrophysicist my work is to study the

astrophysicist my work is to study the universe and in particular my research

universe and in particular my research

universe and in particular my research is about trying to understand how the

is about trying to understand how the

is about trying to understand how the stars that you see tonight how they

stars that you see tonight how they

stars that you see tonight how they formed whether they have planets and

formed whether they have planets and

formed whether they have planets and what happens to those planets over time

what happens to those planets over time

what happens to those planets over time are they habitable do they look like

are they habitable do they look like

are they habitable do they look like planet Earth so when I was a young boy I

planet Earth so when I was a young boy I

planet Earth so when I was a young boy I grew up in the Netherlands not very far

grew up in the Netherlands not very far

grew up in the Netherlands not very far from where this photo was taken and I

from where this photo was taken and I

from where this photo was taken and I regularly looked up in the sky and I

regularly looked up in the sky and I

regularly looked up in the sky and I wondered like all these stars and

wondered like all these stars and

wondered like all these stars and planets where did they come from and can

planets where did they come from and can

planets where did they come from and can i travel there when I grow up can I go

i travel there when I grow up can I go

i travel there when I grow up can I go there in a spaceship and also could

there in a spaceship and also could

there in a spaceship and also could there be life out there and with so many

there be life out there and with so many

there be life out there and with so many stars out there billions and billions of

stars out there billions and billions of

stars out there billions and billions of stars out there there should be a planet

stars out there there should be a planet

stars out there there should be a planet that looked like planet Earth right and

that looked like planet Earth right and

that looked like planet Earth right and could there be aliens could they travel

could there be aliens could they travel

could there be aliens could they travel to planet earth could they visit us I

to planet earth could they visit us I

to planet earth could they visit us I didn’t know at that time and now 30

didn’t know at that time and now 30

didn’t know at that time and now 30 years later I still don’t know here you

years later I still don’t know here you

years later I still don’t know here you see a picture of a galaxy a galaxies

see a picture of a galaxy a galaxies

see a picture of a galaxy a galaxies consisting of more than a hundred

consisting of more than a hundred

consisting of more than a hundred billion stars and we live in a galaxy

billion stars and we live in a galaxy

billion stars and we live in a galaxy that looks a bit similar like this one

that looks a bit similar like this one

that looks a bit similar like this one our galaxy is called Milky Way also with

our galaxy is called Milky Way also with

our galaxy is called Milky Way also with hundreds of billions of stars and many

hundreds of billions of stars and many

hundreds of billions of stars and many of those stars they have planets

of those stars they have planets

of those stars they have planets actually in our Milky Way galaxy there’s

actually in our Milky Way galaxy there’s

actually in our Milky Way galaxy there’s one little star and the outside of that

one little star and the outside of that

one little star and the outside of that galaxy and that star we call Sun our Sun

galaxy and that star we call Sun our Sun

galaxy and that star we call Sun our Sun is a star all the other stars are also

is a star all the other stars are also

is a star all the other stars are also sons so our son has eight planets so

sons so our son has eight planets so

sons so our son has eight planets so maybe the other stars they might also

maybe the other stars they might also

maybe the other stars they might also have planets right and our son has one

have planets right and our son has one

have planets right and our son has one planet which is habit

planet which is habit

planet which is habit one planet where humans can live where

one planet where humans can live where

one planet where humans can live where life can exist and so far planet Earth

life can exist and so far planet Earth

life can exist and so far planet Earth is the only space in the only place in

is the only space in the only place in

is the only space in the only place in the universe where as far as we know

the universe where as far as we know

the universe where as far as we know life exists actually with such an

life exists actually with such an

life exists actually with such an incredibly large universe the universe

incredibly large universe the universe

incredibly large universe the universe is used billions and trillions of stars

is used billions and trillions of stars

is used billions and trillions of stars and planets it should be many places

and planets it should be many places

and planets it should be many places that look a little bit like this right

that look a little bit like this right

that look a little bit like this right should be many planets that look like

should be many planets that look like

should be many planets that look like Earth with life on it but so far we’ve

Earth with life on it but so far we’ve

Earth with life on it but so far we’ve been looking around we haven’t found any

been looking around we haven’t found any

been looking around we haven’t found any evidence for life why is that well to

evidence for life why is that well to

evidence for life why is that well to understand that question we can split it

understand that question we can split it

understand that question we can split it up in two parts the first part is how

up in two parts the first part is how

up in two parts the first part is how common are actually planets like this

common are actually planets like this

common are actually planets like this and the second question is well if

and the second question is well if

and the second question is well if planets like this exists how common is

planets like this exists how common is

planets like this exists how common is is life on such planets are we a special

is life on such planets are we a special

is life on such planets are we a special place in the universe or are these kind

place in the universe or are these kind

place in the universe or are these kind of place is very common let’s take a

of place is very common let’s take a

of place is very common let’s take a look at these questions so the first one

look at these questions so the first one

look at these questions so the first one is well how common are these planets in

is well how common are these planets in

is well how common are these planets in the universe so here you see a picture

the universe so here you see a picture

the universe so here you see a picture of the constellation of Orion you can

of the constellation of Orion you can

of the constellation of Orion you can see it tonight if you go outside if it’s

see it tonight if you go outside if it’s

see it tonight if you go outside if it’s not cloudy you can recognize it and by

not cloudy you can recognize it and by

not cloudy you can recognize it and by the three stars in the middle very

the three stars in the middle very

the three stars in the middle very easily you can recognize it so when you

easily you can recognize it so when you

easily you can recognize it so when you look at Orion you will see a couple of

look at Orion you will see a couple of

look at Orion you will see a couple of stars and a big black background and

stars and a big black background and

stars and a big black background and looks like empty space but when you look

looks like empty space but when you look

looks like empty space but when you look with an infrared camera that detects

with an infrared camera that detects

with an infrared camera that detects heat radiation you will actually see

heat radiation you will actually see

heat radiation you will actually see much more you will see that there is

much more you will see that there is

much more you will see that there is actually a lot of stuff between these

actually a lot of stuff between these

actually a lot of stuff between these stars and as astronomers we call that

stars and as astronomers we call that

stars and as astronomers we call that gas and dust gas and dust in space and

gas and dust gas and dust in space and

gas and dust gas and dust in space and it is actually a lot of stuff there and

it is actually a lot of stuff there and

it is actually a lot of stuff there and that stuff has gravity these big gas

that stuff has gravity these big gas

that stuff has gravity these big gas clouds in space they attract each other

clouds in space they attract each other

clouds in space they attract each other they become smaller they merge they

they become smaller they merge they

they become smaller they merge they clump together and they form stars and

clump together and they form stars and

clump together and they form stars and you can actually see at the yellow spots

you can actually see at the yellow spots

you can actually see at the yellow spots there that’s where new stars are forming

there that’s where new stars are forming

there that’s where new stars are forming and that’s where new planets are forming

and that’s where new planets are forming

and that’s where new planets are forming so if you come back here take a picture

so if you come back here take a picture

so if you come back here take a picture 2 million years later you will see some

2 million years later you will see some

2 million years later you will see some planets maybe some of them look like

planets maybe some of them look like

planets maybe some of them look like earth so schematically this is what

earth so schematically this is what

earth so schematically this is what happens you start out with a very big

happens you start out with a very big

happens you start out with a very big gas cloud in space have a lot of gravity

gas cloud in space have a lot of gravity

gas cloud in space have a lot of gravity it becomes smaller takes takes maybe a

it becomes smaller takes takes maybe a

it becomes smaller takes takes maybe a million years or two million years or so

million years or two million years or so

million years or two million years or so and then it comes together in the center

and then it comes together in the center

and then it comes together in the center 99% of the material goes to the center

99% of the material goes to the center

99% of the material goes to the center and forms a star and the other one

and forms a star and the other one

and forms a star and the other one percent of the material forms a disk

percent of the material forms a disk

percent of the material forms a disk around that star and it keeps orbiting

around that star and it keeps orbiting

around that star and it keeps orbiting that material keeps orbiting that star

that material keeps orbiting that star

that material keeps orbiting that star for maybe 10 million years but in the

for maybe 10 million years but in the

for maybe 10 million years but in the meantime it is making planets such as

meantime it is making planets such as

meantime it is making planets such as planet Earth so this is how we think

planet Earth so this is how we think

planet Earth so this is how we think planet Earth form so you have a star a

planet Earth form so you have a star a

planet Earth form so you have a star a newly formed star with it gasps discs

newly formed star with it gasps discs

newly formed star with it gasps discs around it in that gas disk you have

around it in that gas disk you have

around it in that gas disk you have atoms molecules they stick together they

atoms molecules they stick together they

atoms molecules they stick together they form dust particles that also stick

form dust particles that also stick

form dust particles that also stick together and ultimately grow and grow

together and ultimately grow and grow

together and ultimately grow and grow and grow two stones big stones of a

and grow two stones big stones of a

and grow two stones big stones of a meter of a kilometer and some of them

meter of a kilometer and some of them

meter of a kilometer and some of them that are big enough start due to their

that are big enough start due to their

that are big enough start due to their gravity attracting even more of this

gravity attracting even more of this

gravity attracting even more of this material and this crowd they grow very

material and this crowd they grow very

material and this crowd they grow very fast so in our solar system we had eight

fast so in our solar system we had eight

fast so in our solar system we had eight of these very big ones that happen to

of these very big ones that happen to

of these very big ones that happen to accrete all the leftover material and

accrete all the leftover material and

accrete all the leftover material and form planets so you see those stones

form planets so you see those stones

form planets so you see those stones they’re actually not all of them are

they’re actually not all of them are

they’re actually not all of them are gone some of them are still flying

gone some of them are still flying

gone some of them are still flying around the solar system today and if one

around the solar system today and if one

around the solar system today and if one of them collides with the earth tonight

of them collides with the earth tonight

of them collides with the earth tonight you will see a falling star if it’s a

you will see a falling star if it’s a

you will see a falling star if it’s a small one if it’s a big one then we have

small one if it’s a big one then we have

small one if it’s a big one then we have a problem right so that’s what happened

a problem right so that’s what happened

a problem right so that’s what happened to the dinosaurs they were killed by an

to the dinosaurs they were killed by an

to the dinosaurs they were killed by an impact of one of these asteroids in the

impact of one of these asteroids in the

impact of one of these asteroids in the meantime the Sun starts shining and the

meantime the Sun starts shining and the

meantime the Sun starts shining and the Sun already due to its intense radiation

Sun already due to its intense radiation

Sun already due to its intense radiation it blows away the very light

it blows away the very light

it blows away the very light materials that hydrogen helium the

materials that hydrogen helium the

materials that hydrogen helium the materials that make up the atmosphere

materials that make up the atmosphere

materials that make up the atmosphere and the heavy ones like rock and metal

and the heavy ones like rock and metal

and the heavy ones like rock and metal they stay near this done they say stay

they stay near this done they say stay

they stay near this done they say stay near the Sun so what you get if you do

near the Sun so what you get if you do

near the Sun so what you get if you do that we do a computer simulation for

that we do a computer simulation for

that we do a computer simulation for example and include all of this you’ll

example and include all of this you’ll

example and include all of this you’ll get a star and you get a couple of small

get a star and you get a couple of small

get a star and you get a couple of small planets made of stone and rock like our

planets made of stone and rock like our

planets made of stone and rock like our planet Earth with a very tiny atmosphere

planet Earth with a very tiny atmosphere

planet Earth with a very tiny atmosphere but almost entirely made of rock and

but almost entirely made of rock and

but almost entirely made of rock and stone and four huge planets or three or

stone and four huge planets or three or

stone and four huge planets or three or five depends a bit this is what we

five depends a bit this is what we

five depends a bit this is what we expect from the theory of planet

expect from the theory of planet

expect from the theory of planet formation it works for our solar system

formation it works for our solar system

formation it works for our solar system but does it also work for other solar

but does it also work for other solar

but does it also work for other solar systems and that was a big question up

systems and that was a big question up

systems and that was a big question up to about 20 years ago 20 years ago

to about 20 years ago 20 years ago

to about 20 years ago 20 years ago telescopes became strong enough to

telescopes became strong enough to

telescopes became strong enough to detect planets orbiting the stars that

detect planets orbiting the stars that

detect planets orbiting the stars that you see at night of course it’s very

you see at night of course it’s very

you see at night of course it’s very difficult because they’re so far away at

difficult because they’re so far away at

difficult because they’re so far away at the moment we already know more than

the moment we already know more than

the moment we already know more than 3,500 planets outside our solar system

3,500 planets outside our solar system

3,500 planets outside our solar system and of course a more interesting

and of course a more interesting

and of course a more interesting question is which one of these planets

question is which one of these planets

question is which one of these planets is actually suitable for life life as we

is actually suitable for life life as we

is actually suitable for life life as we know it that needs liquid water to some

know it that needs liquid water to some

know it that needs liquid water to some degree and this is well quantified in

degree and this is well quantified in

degree and this is well quantified in this this plot and the horizontal axis

this this plot and the horizontal axis

this this plot and the horizontal axis you see the distance between a planet

you see the distance between a planet

you see the distance between a planet and a star and then the vertical axis

and a star and then the vertical axis

and a star and then the vertical axis you see well how hot is the star how big

you see well how hot is the star how big

you see well how hot is the star how big how luminous is a star so for stars like

how luminous is a star so for stars like

how luminous is a star so for stars like our Sun if we want a planet like Earth

our Sun if we want a planet like Earth

our Sun if we want a planet like Earth to be habitable it shouldn’t be too cold

to be habitable it shouldn’t be too cold

to be habitable it shouldn’t be too cold it shouldn’t be too far away it

it shouldn’t be too far away it

it shouldn’t be too far away it shouldn’t be too close to the star and

shouldn’t be too close to the star and

shouldn’t be too close to the star and it should be at the right spot in the

it should be at the right spot in the

it should be at the right spot in the Green Zone and we call this the

Green Zone and we call this the

Green Zone and we call this the habitable zone so if you are outside

habitable zone so if you are outside

habitable zone so if you are outside that habitable zone you can’t live on

that habitable zone you can’t live on

that habitable zone you can’t live on that planet if you’re in the habitable

that planet if you’re in the habitable

that planet if you’re in the habitable zone it’s theoretically possible but for

zone it’s theoretically possible but for

zone it’s theoretically possible but for those of you that look carefully

those of you that look carefully

those of you that look carefully actually our neighbor planets

actually our neighbor planets

actually our neighbor planets Venus and Mars are also well on the edge

Venus and Mars are also well on the edge

Venus and Mars are also well on the edge of this habitable zone in theory there

of this habitable zone in theory there

of this habitable zone in theory there may be life there but it turns out for

may be life there but it turns out for

may be life there but it turns out for some reason it went wrong venus is too

some reason it went wrong venus is too

some reason it went wrong venus is too hot Mars is too cold and actually our

hot Mars is too cold and actually our

hot Mars is too cold and actually our moon is exactly at the right spot the

moon is exactly at the right spot the

moon is exactly at the right spot the perfect place but our moon is also dead

perfect place but our moon is also dead

perfect place but our moon is also dead why is our moon did it doesn’t have any

why is our moon did it doesn’t have any

why is our moon did it doesn’t have any atmosphere so one requirement for life

atmosphere so one requirement for life

atmosphere so one requirement for life is temperature but another one is

is temperature but another one is

is temperature but another one is atmosphere and it’s actually a very

atmosphere and it’s actually a very

atmosphere and it’s actually a very important one the air which we breathe

important one the air which we breathe

important one the air which we breathe so an atmosphere and a planet determines

so an atmosphere and a planet determines

so an atmosphere and a planet determines what what happens on the surface of a

what what happens on the surface of a

what what happens on the surface of a planet so and our planet Earth the

planet so and our planet Earth the

planet so and our planet Earth the atmosphere transports heat through winds

atmosphere transports heat through winds

atmosphere transports heat through winds our atmosphere is responsible for the

our atmosphere is responsible for the

our atmosphere is responsible for the greenhouse effect the greenhouse effect

greenhouse effect the greenhouse effect

greenhouse effect the greenhouse effect you always hear many bad stories about

you always hear many bad stories about

you always hear many bad stories about it but actually it’s good because

it but actually it’s good because

it but actually it’s good because without that greenhouse effect it would

without that greenhouse effect it would

without that greenhouse effect it would be minus 40 degrees in this room the

be minus 40 degrees in this room the

be minus 40 degrees in this room the atmosphere also provides nutrients

atmosphere also provides nutrients

atmosphere also provides nutrients oxygen for me and carbon dioxide for the

oxygen for me and carbon dioxide for the

oxygen for me and carbon dioxide for the plants and finally we have an ozone

plants and finally we have an ozone

plants and finally we have an ozone layer that protects us from dangerous

layer that protects us from dangerous

layer that protects us from dangerous radiation from space so if life wants to

radiation from space so if life wants to

radiation from space so if life wants to develop it on a planet and developing

develop it on a planet and developing

develop it on a planet and developing over long periods of time into an

over long periods of time into an

over long periods of time into an advanced civilization you need a stable

advanced civilization you need a stable

advanced civilization you need a stable atmosphere or at least one that changes

atmosphere or at least one that changes

atmosphere or at least one that changes very slowly and sometimes it goes wrong

very slowly and sometimes it goes wrong

very slowly and sometimes it goes wrong so in our earth that went wrong a couple

so in our earth that went wrong a couple

so in our earth that went wrong a couple of times actually quite a couple of

of times actually quite a couple of

of times actually quite a couple of times we had asteroids impacting the

times we had asteroids impacting the

times we had asteroids impacting the earth comets colliding with the earth

earth comets colliding with the earth

earth comets colliding with the earth wiping off the dinosaurs of this planet

wiping off the dinosaurs of this planet

wiping off the dinosaurs of this planet we had super volcanoes we had stars

we had super volcanoes we had stars

we had super volcanoes we had stars exploding not so far away from the Sun

exploding not so far away from the Sun

exploding not so far away from the Sun sterilizing most of the earth so so far

sterilizing most of the earth so so far

sterilizing most of the earth so so far our earth has survived all these natural

our earth has survived all these natural

our earth has survived all these natural disasters life has survived these

disasters life has survived these

disasters life has survived these natural disasters although with big pain

natural disasters although with big pain

natural disasters although with big pain every now and then

every now and then

every now and then so to sustain life for long periods of

so to sustain life for long periods of

so to sustain life for long periods of time you need a good temperature and a

time you need a good temperature and a

time you need a good temperature and a good atmosphere even if you can avoid

good atmosphere even if you can avoid

good atmosphere even if you can avoid this on some planets in the universe you

this on some planets in the universe you

this on some planets in the universe you will have additional problems you will

will have additional problems you will

will have additional problems you will have an advanced technology and advanced

have an advanced technology and advanced

have an advanced technology and advanced civilization that messes up the planets

civilization that messes up the planets

civilization that messes up the planets for example if you have a star with a

for example if you have a star with a

for example if you have a star with a planet and on that planet they discover

planet and on that planet they discover

planet and on that planet they discover nuclear energy and start making war with

nuclear energy and start making war with

nuclear energy and start making war with each other that cannot end good

each other that cannot end good

each other that cannot end good fortunately we survived that so far and

fortunately we survived that so far and

fortunately we survived that so far and our planet right we didn’t have a

our planet right we didn’t have a

our planet right we didn’t have a nuclear war air pollution can be

nuclear war air pollution can be

nuclear war air pollution can be tremendous well it’s a bit of problem

tremendous well it’s a bit of problem

tremendous well it’s a bit of problem now right but not so big that it is a

now right but not so big that it is a

now right but not so big that it is a problem for life and finally the

problem for life and finally the

problem for life and finally the greenhouse effect can go crazy you may

greenhouse effect can go crazy you may

greenhouse effect can go crazy you may have seen that in the news this is an

have seen that in the news this is an

have seen that in the news this is an example Venus where it went wrong with

example Venus where it went wrong with

example Venus where it went wrong with the greenhouse effect it’s incredibly

the greenhouse effect it’s incredibly

the greenhouse effect it’s incredibly hot now it used to have oceans but not

hot now it used to have oceans but not

hot now it used to have oceans but not anymore it became too hot too much co2

anymore it became too hot too much co2

anymore it became too hot too much co2 in the atmosphere that was not done by

in the atmosphere that was not done by

in the atmosphere that was not done by humans by the way this was just because

humans by the way this was just because

humans by the way this was just because the volcanoes happen to be a bit

the volcanoes happen to be a bit

the volcanoes happen to be a bit overactive so what about planet Earth

overactive so what about planet Earth

overactive so what about planet Earth what are we doing now to our atmosphere

what are we doing now to our atmosphere

what are we doing now to our atmosphere so you see here a picture of co2 levels

so you see here a picture of co2 levels

so you see here a picture of co2 levels over time measured by astronomers on a

over time measured by astronomers on a

over time measured by astronomers on a mountain in Hawaii the red curve shows

mountain in Hawaii the red curve shows

mountain in Hawaii the red curve shows the amount of co2 in the atmosphere

the amount of co2 in the atmosphere

the amount of co2 in the atmosphere since I was born which is well I’m not

since I was born which is well I’m not

since I was born which is well I’m not too young but about a bit less than 40

too young but about a bit less than 40

too young but about a bit less than 40 years is it’s a very short time on

years is it’s a very short time on

years is it’s a very short time on astronomical geological timescales since

astronomical geological timescales since

astronomical geological timescales since I was born co2 levels went up by twenty

I was born co2 levels went up by twenty

I was born co2 levels went up by twenty percent an incredible amount so whether

percent an incredible amount so whether

percent an incredible amount so whether this trend come from where did it start

this trend come from where did it start

this trend come from where did it start fortunately by studying the bubbles in

fortunately by studying the bubbles in

fortunately by studying the bubbles in the ice and Antarctica and Greenland we

the ice and Antarctica and Greenland we

the ice and Antarctica and Greenland we can find out what the atmosphere looked

can find out what the atmosphere looked

can find out what the atmosphere looked like in the past and dig a hole analyze

like in the past and dig a hole analyze

like in the past and dig a hole analyze the ice bubbles

the ice bubbles

the ice bubbles and this is what you can find for the

and this is what you can find for the

and this is what you can find for the last 2,000 years was rather constant for

last 2,000 years was rather constant for

last 2,000 years was rather constant for 2,000 years until about 1850 1900 what

2,000 years until about 1850 1900 what

2,000 years until about 1850 1900 what happened then what happened at that time

happened then what happened at that time

happened then what happened at that time it was the start of the Industrial

it was the start of the Industrial

it was the start of the Industrial Revolution that was James Watt and his

Revolution that was James Watt and his

Revolution that was James Watt and his steam engine that’s when we started

steam engine that’s when we started

steam engine that’s when we started using coal and oil on a massive scale

using coal and oil on a massive scale

using coal and oil on a massive scale and you see co2 levels have gone up by

and you see co2 levels have gone up by

and you see co2 levels have gone up by forty percent this is not the stock

forty percent this is not the stock

forty percent this is not the stock market of China this is not the American

market of China this is not the American

market of China this is not the American dollar this is the atmosphere of an

dollar this is the atmosphere of an

dollar this is the atmosphere of an entire planet sounds very dangerous to

entire planet sounds very dangerous to

entire planet sounds very dangerous to me if you go back even further and you

me if you go back even further and you

me if you go back even further and you can do that this picture shows a million

can do that this picture shows a million

can do that this picture shows a million years of history measurements of co2

years of history measurements of co2

years of history measurements of co2 levels and temperatures then coupled to

levels and temperatures then coupled to

levels and temperatures then coupled to it you see some variations we have ice

it you see some variations we have ice

it you see some variations we have ice ages every now and then these ice ages

ages every now and then these ice ages

ages every now and then these ice ages are natural and actually there is they

are natural and actually there is they

are natural and actually there is they are a result of astronomy they are a

are a result of astronomy they are a

are a result of astronomy they are a result of the orbit of the earth around

result of the orbit of the earth around

result of the orbit of the earth around the Sun changing sometimes it’s a bit

the Sun changing sometimes it’s a bit

the Sun changing sometimes it’s a bit more circular sometimes a bit more

more circular sometimes a bit more

more circular sometimes a bit more elliptical sometimes a bit closer

elliptical sometimes a bit closer

elliptical sometimes a bit closer sometimes a bit further that’s part of

sometimes a bit further that’s part of

sometimes a bit further that’s part of my research of astronomers like me we

my research of astronomers like me we

my research of astronomers like me we try to figure out what the planets are

try to figure out what the planets are

try to figure out what the planets are doing and we can predict this and

doing and we can predict this and

doing and we can predict this and geologists they measure this and thurs

geologists they measure this and thurs

geologists they measure this and thurs out pretty well except for the last

out pretty well except for the last

out pretty well except for the last point you see 1 million years of history

point you see 1 million years of history

point you see 1 million years of history of co2 levels and interest 100 years

of co2 levels and interest 100 years

of co2 levels and interest 100 years which is absolutely nothing in

which is absolutely nothing in

which is absolutely nothing in geological astronomical time skills we

geological astronomical time skills we

geological astronomical time skills we are changing the earth we are changing

are changing the earth we are changing

are changing the earth we are changing the earth sounds quite dangerous so now

the earth sounds quite dangerous so now

the earth sounds quite dangerous so now to go back to my original question the

to go back to my original question the

to go back to my original question the question that I asked when I was still a

question that I asked when I was still a

question that I asked when I was still a young boy so why are there so many stars

young boy so why are there so many stars

young boy so why are there so many stars and why haven’t I Lien’s come to visit

and why haven’t I Lien’s come to visit

and why haven’t I Lien’s come to visit us yet that may relate to this at least

us yet that may relate to this at least

us yet that may relate to this at least in my opinion

in my opinion

in my opinion so so far we have extremely good

so so far we have extremely good

so so far we have extremely good telescopes we went into space we’ve been

telescopes we went into space we’ve been

telescopes we went into space we’ve been to Mars we sent out messages radio

to Mars we sent out messages radio

to Mars we sent out messages radio signals light signals into space we’ve

signals light signals into space we’ve

signals light signals into space we’ve been listening space seems empty at

been listening space seems empty at

been listening space seems empty at least nobody is there to say hello to us

least nobody is there to say hello to us

least nobody is there to say hello to us why is that and the famous physicists

why is that and the famous physicists

why is that and the famous physicists and Rico Fermi he actually brought that

and Rico Fermi he actually brought that

and Rico Fermi he actually brought that up one time in the academic community

up one time in the academic community

up one time in the academic community during a coffee time at the University

during a coffee time at the University

during a coffee time at the University so he reasoned as follows and I’ve shown

so he reasoned as follows and I’ve shown

so he reasoned as follows and I’ve shown you in the first part first of all the

you in the first part first of all the

you in the first part first of all the universe has an incredible number of

universe has an incredible number of

universe has an incredible number of stars incredible number of planets and

stars incredible number of planets and

stars incredible number of planets and therefore also even if the chance may be

therefore also even if the chance may be

therefore also even if the chance may be very small an enormous number of planets

very small an enormous number of planets

very small an enormous number of planets that look like Earth planets that can

that look like Earth planets that can

that look like Earth planets that can potentially host life and some of these

potentially host life and some of these

potentially host life and some of these planets will be forming today some of us

planets will be forming today some of us

planets will be forming today some of us some of them formed maybe a million

some of them formed maybe a million

some of them formed maybe a million years ago or a billion years ago so

years ago or a billion years ago so

years ago or a billion years ago so civilizations there should be a billion

civilizations there should be a billion

civilizations there should be a billion years ahead in technology can you

years ahead in technology can you

years ahead in technology can you imagine what it looked like there’s some

imagine what it looked like there’s some

imagine what it looked like there’s some civilization there that is a hundred

civilization there that is a hundred

civilization there that is a hundred years ahead in technology or a thousand

years ahead in technology or a thousand

years ahead in technology or a thousand years or a million years incredible they

years or a million years incredible they

years or a million years incredible they should be able to send messages to us

should be able to send messages to us

should be able to send messages to us come say hello but they don’t it seems

come say hello but they don’t it seems

come say hello but they don’t it seems quiet where are they and that is called

quiet where are they and that is called

quiet where are they and that is called the Fermi paradox and of course many

the Fermi paradox and of course many

the Fermi paradox and of course many people have thought about what the

people have thought about what the

people have thought about what the solutions of this could be why the

solutions of this could be why the

solutions of this could be why the universe so big full should be full of

universe so big full should be full of

universe so big full should be full of earth-like planets and still we don’t

earth-like planets and still we don’t

earth-like planets and still we don’t see anybody maybe we’re the only ones in

see anybody maybe we’re the only ones in

see anybody maybe we’re the only ones in the universe right or maybe we are just

the universe right or maybe we are just

the universe right or maybe we are just the first one or maybe we should be

the first one or maybe we should be

the first one or maybe we should be lucky nobody has found us yet or maybe

lucky nobody has found us yet or maybe

lucky nobody has found us yet or maybe they’re hiding right maybe they don’t

they’re hiding right maybe they don’t

they’re hiding right maybe they don’t care about us actually what I think is

care about us actually what I think is

care about us actually what I think is the picture on the right so every now

the picture on the right so every now

the picture on the right so every now and then a civilization is wiped out by

and then a civilization is wiped out by

and then a civilization is wiped out by an asteroid impact or an exploding star

an asteroid impact or an exploding star

an asteroid impact or an exploding star that chance is relatively small what I

that chance is relatively small what I

that chance is relatively small what I think is that

think is that

think is that civilizations what they do they build up

civilizations what they do they build up

civilizations what they do they build up their technology and at some point they

their technology and at some point they

their technology and at some point they make an end to their own lives they mess

make an end to their own lives they mess

make an end to their own lives they mess up their planet so much either through a

up their planet so much either through a

up their planet so much either through a nuclear war or through changing the

nuclear war or through changing the

nuclear war or through changing the climate do you think an intelligent

climate do you think an intelligent

climate do you think an intelligent civilization would be so stupid to mess

civilization would be so stupid to mess

civilization would be so stupid to mess up their own planets I don’t know the

up their own planets I don’t know the

up their own planets I don’t know the answer we don’t know much about what

answer we don’t know much about what

answer we don’t know much about what happens in space the only thing I know

happens in space the only thing I know

happens in space the only thing I know is what happens on planet Earth that’s

is what happens on planet Earth that’s

is what happens on planet Earth that’s the only one I know and what we’re doing

the only one I know and what we’re doing

the only one I know and what we’re doing right now with planet Earth we we are

right now with planet Earth we we are

right now with planet Earth we we are changing planet Earth we are changing

changing planet Earth we are changing

changing planet Earth we are changing the atmosphere right now at a tremendous

the atmosphere right now at a tremendous

the atmosphere right now at a tremendous rate so when I was a young boy and I

rate so when I was a young boy and I

rate so when I was a young boy and I looked up to the stars and I wondered

looked up to the stars and I wondered

looked up to the stars and I wondered where are these aliens why are we alone

where are these aliens why are we alone

where are these aliens why are we alone then I look at Planet Earth what we are

then I look at Planet Earth what we are

then I look at Planet Earth what we are doing right now and I think this may be

doing right now and I think this may be

doing right now and I think this may be a reason and it’s good to realize that

a reason and it’s good to realize that

a reason and it’s good to realize that we’re changing the atmosphere it’s a

we’re changing the atmosphere it’s a

we’re changing the atmosphere it’s a human it’s not natural humans do it and

human it’s not natural humans do it and

human it’s not natural humans do it and therefore we may also be able to do

therefore we may also be able to do

therefore we may also be able to do something about it so this talk was

something about it so this talk was

something about it so this talk was about the universe actually it’s also

about the universe actually it’s also

about the universe actually it’s also about you this is your future this

about you this is your future this

about you this is your future this planet let’s take good care of it thank

planet let’s take good care of it thank

planet let’s take good care of it thank you

you

you [Applause]

”

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