Podcast UFO 648. Rebecca Charbonneau
Jan 29, 2025
Dr. Rebecca Charbonneau, a historian of astronomy and author of "Mixed Signals," dives into the fascinating collaboration between American and Soviet astronomers during the Cold War. She discusses the groundbreaking partnership between Carl Sagan and Iosif Shklovsky and their quest for extraterrestrial intelligence. Delving into bizarre experiments, political tensions, and the philosophical implications of their work, Rebecca highlights how curiosity can unite humanity, even amidst global strife.
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Galileo's Finger
- Rebecca Charbonneau's interest in the history of science began with a book about Galileo's middle finger.
- Inspired, she visited the Museo Galileo in Florence to see Galileo's preserved finger and telescopes.
Book's Genesis
- Rebecca Charbonneau's book, Mixed Signals, originated from her research on the space race at Oxford.
- She discovered an out-of-print book co-authored by Carl Sagan and Soviet astronomer Iosif Shklovsky about extraterrestrial life.
Scientific Speculation
- Scientists must balance speculation with scientific rigor.
- Avi Loeb's suggestion about ʻOumuamua's extraterrestrial origins highlights this tension, requiring evidence and peer review.
