4 October 2012

'Into Deep Space: The Search for Planets' - Cafe Science Extra, 10th October

Are we alone in the Universe or is their life on other planets? That's the question to be pondered at the next Café Science Extra event in Dundee.

Dr Ken Rice, from the University of Edinburgh, will visit Dundee Science Centre on Wednesday, 10th October to deliver a talk entitled 'Into Deep Space: The Search for Planets'.

Before we can answer definitely whether there are alien out there, we must first find planets beyond our Solar System capable of supporting life. In his talk, Dr Rice will discuss how new planets are formed, and discovered by 'planet-hunters'.

This event includes the first screening in Dundee of the short-film 'Into Deep Space', produced by the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh and based on Scottish research. The film develops our understanding of how and where we might expect to see life appearing in the Galaxy.

"Not all planets will support life and Dr Rice will tell us how likely it is to find habitable planets," said Dr Jon Urch, Public Outreach Co-ordinator at the University of Dundee, who is organising the event.

"The prospect of finding life beyond earth is something that continues to fascinate, from academic astronomers to science fiction books, comics and films. The latter dictates our impression of what aliens might look and act like, but what is the reality?

"We will find out what the chances are of contacting intelligent life on another planet, as well as finding out about the leading research being carried out in Scotland. Here's your chance if you want to know which direction ET will be coming from!"

More than 3000 visitors have attended Café Science and Café Science Extra events since their launch in January 2008. The monthly Café Science events take the form of informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening in Dundee.

With Café Science Extra, the focus is on up-and-coming scientists from the University of Dundee and Abertay University, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre, as well as occasional guest speakers, such as Dr Rice.

'Into Deep Space: The Search for Planets' takes place at Infusion coffee shop, Dundee Science Centre - Sensation at 6pm on Wednesday, 10th October. Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended.

More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277