MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. – Have you ever wondered if life exists anywhere else in the universe besides Earth? Come hear two unique perspectives on both faith and science as Lynn Rothschild, astrobiologist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., and George Coyne, director emeritus of the Vatican Observatory, discusses “Are We Alone? The Dance of the Fertile Universe.”

As far as we know today the potential for life was present at the Big Bang, but the only place that the promise was realized is planet Earth. Is it possible that the physical universe offered other potential niches for life? These questions will be discussed by two science experts during a lecture at NASA’s Ames. 

Sponsored by the Commonwealth Club of California in association with the Yale Club of Silicon Valley and NASA’s Ames. Refreshments will be served prior to the beginning of the lecture. 

WHERE: NASA’s Ames Research Center, Building 3 ballroom

WHEN: Feb.19, 2009

–      6:30 p.m. PST: Participant check-in

–       7 p.m. PST: the lecture starts

WHO: Lynn Rothschild, astrobiologist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, and George Coyne, director emeritus of the Vatican Observatory will discuss the possibility of other habitable planets in the universe and Ames Center Director, S. Pete Worden, will moderate. 

Admission is $10 for Commonwealth Club members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting Georgette Gehue of the Commonwealth Club at ggehue@commonwealthclub.org or 408-280-5842 or by visiting:

http://tickets.commonwealthclub.org/auto_choose_ga.asp?area=62

For more information about NASA’s Ames Research Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ames