Bob Berman’s Strange Universe: Another Earth: Where is the search leading?

May 2011: A huge disconnect exists between the actual science and the media hype.

Contributed by Bob Berman

Published: March 28, 2011

The hunt for exoplanets is “hot.” We see the idea of “another Earth” repeated almost daily on TV science shows. But where is the quest really taking us?

Check out what our readers are saying!

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WAYNE HELLER from WASHINGTON said:

The discovery of life or strong evidence for the possibility of life is an important next step in the progression of discoveries away from an Earth-centric view of existence. The progression starts with Copernican model of the solar system through Hubble's discoveries of other galaxies through today's theories of a multiverse. To your point, Bob, none of these shifts in perspective have changed the day to day lives of most people but they have inspired few to ask new questions. The Kepler mission is an opportunity to seize the imaginations of young people with questions that go beyond what the actual mission will achieve. It is an opportunity to ask questions like, what do we mean by life, how do we know what we are looking for, if we found evidence of a civilization how would we communicate?
Unarguably, there is the need for better science journalism in mainstream media which puts things in the proper perspective and captures our imagination.

KRANAV SHARMA from NEW YORK said:

Loved it. Keep up the good work.

AGNES OBOH from FLORIDA said:

Bob, you didn't say why the most probable abode for exo-life is the jovian moon Europa. thanks for always been somehow been able to put things in perspective

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