Is Earth Exceptional? A Journey Through the Cosmos in Search of Life
Is Earth a rare jewel in the vast expanse of the cosmos, or one of many life-bearing worlds? In this talk, Chick Keller and Joyce Guzik explore this question from the perspectives of planetary science and modern astrophysical discovery, drawing from the recent book Is Earth Exceptional? by Mario Livio and Jack Szostak.
Chick Keller begins by examining the unique conditions that allowed life to flourish on Earth, and why neighboring planets like Venus and Mars fell short. What role did solar system formation, plate tectonics, and planetary environments play in shaping Earth’s habitability? Could life exist—or have existed—elsewhere in our solar system, such as beneath the icy surfaces of Europa, Enceladus, or even on distant Pluto? And if intelligent life arises, can it endure, or is it inevitably fleeting on cosmic timescales?
In the second half, Joyce Guzik turns to the stars, exploring the explosion of exoplanet discoveries over the past two decades. What are the prospects for detecting life on planets orbiting other stars? How might we recognize signs of biology—or even technology—from afar? What types of stars are most likely to host life-friendly planets, and could civilizations evolve into something entirely post-biological? Guzik will also touch on current and future observational efforts, including the James Webb Space Telescope and space mission recommended by the National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey.
Together, the speakers will present the astronomical context behind the question: is Earth exceptional, or simply one of many possible homes for life in the universe?
Charles F. “Chick” Keller entered Catholic seminary after High School. After four years of philosophy and theology he was worried that theologians didn’t know enough about what science had shown, that might require updating of traditional theology. He studied Physics and Mathematics at Penn State and received a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Indiana University in 1969. Chick joined Los Alamos National Laboratory where he worked in a variety of computer-based studies, including climate change. He eventually became the highly respected director of the Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics at Los Alamos. Chick was one of the founders of PEEC, the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, locally known as the “Nature Center”. In 2017, Chick was named one of the “Living Treasures” of Los Alamos. Chick has read widely about aspects of science as it impacts theological concepts, and is a founding member of Los Alamos Faith and Science Forum, where, over the years, he has given a number of talks on issues where faith and science intersect. He is a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
Dr. Joyce A. Guzik is a Laboratory Fellow in the Applied Theoretical Physics (X) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she has worked for over 35 years. Her research has spanned nuclear weapons science, global security, and astrophysics, including contributions to nuclear forensics and stellar evolution and pulsation modeling. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Physics, Math, and Russian Studies from Cornell College, Iowa, and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Iowa State University. During the past 18 years she has collaborated on projects using data from NASA's Kepler and TESS spacecraft. These space missions have discovered thousands of planets orbiting other stars. A long-time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, Guzik has engaged in adult theological education and has participated in programs exploring the intersection of science and faith.
