Mario Livio

The astrophysicist Mario Livio spent 24 years at the Space Telescope Science Institute working with the Hubble Telescope, which has revealed the reality and beauty of the Universe to scientists and citizens in whole new ways. The Hubble’s successor, the James Webb Telescope, will become fully operational in 2022, and will further some of the questions about the early formation of the Universe and the origins of life to which Mario Livio has been devoted. Krista spoke with him in 2010, and this conversation has become an On Being Classic, imparting a thrilling sense of all we are learning about the cosmos in this generation in time, our terrible earthly woes notwithstanding. Also: how scientific advance always meets recurrent mystery, from the emergence of life in the Universe to the very heart of mathematics and the puzzle of dark matter and dark energy.Mario Livio is the author of seven books, including Galileo: And the Science Deniers, The Golden Ratio, and Is God a Mathematician? His current research centers on the emergence of life in the Universe.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.This show originally aired in May 2010.

Mario Livio, an astrophysicist who dedicated 24 years to the Hubble Space Telescope, dives into the thrilling implications of recent discoveries that may signal life beyond Earth. He passionately discusses the idea that our galaxy could be teeming with life and explores the complexities of identifying biosignatures on distant planets. Livio also addresses the challenges of intelligent life, the skepticism surrounding colonizing Mars, and the intersection of AI and consciousness. His insights encourage a deeper curiosity about our universe and humanity's future.

In this discussion, Dan Hancox, author of "Multitudes: How Crowds Made the Modern World," dives into the psychology of crowds, exploring how shared experiences can transform individuals and even trigger mob behavior. He challenges traditional views on crowd mentality, revealing both the joyous and dark aspects of collective action. Meanwhile, Mario Livio, an astrophysicist and former Hubble Space Telescope researcher, tackles profound questions about the origins of life on Earth and the quest for extraterrestrial existence, contemplating what it truly means for life to emerge.

Join astrophysicist Mario Livio, former Hubble Space Telescope researcher and bestselling author, as he delves into whether Earth is truly exceptional. He tackles profound questions about the origins of life and the universe, emphasizing the importance of curiosity in scientific inquiry. Livio discusses the collaboration between biochemists and astrophysicists in the search for extraterrestrial life, challenging biases and exploring alternative life models. Prepare for an exhilarating exploration of cosmic possibilities and the mysteries that bind us to the cosmos.

In a captivating discussion, Mario Livio, an astrophysicist and author, joins Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak to explore the uniqueness of life on Earth. They tackle whether our planet is the only host for life and discuss the implications of the Miller-Urey experiment. The duo delves into the origins of life, touching on key concepts like the RNA world hypothesis and the role of magnetite. They also speculate about the search for life on Mars and the broader universe, leaving listeners pondering our cosmic significance.