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.

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.

Mario Livio, an acclaimed astrophysicist and co-author of 'Is Earth Exceptional?', explores the origins of life on Earth and its implications for extraterrestrial existence. He discusses the critical role of RNA in early life development and how the building blocks of life could arise elsewhere in the universe. The conversation dives into the search for Earth-like exoplanets, modern technologies to detect biosignatures, and the societal impact of discovering intelligent life. Livio also reflects on the importance of extraordinary evidence in substantiating claims of extraterrestrial life.

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.

Explore the roots of curiosity with astrophysicist Mario Livio as he discusses the evolutionary necessity, societal attitudes, and the role of curiosity in perpetuating awe. Dive into the dimensions of curiosity, the influence of literature and media, and the correlation between curiosity, creativity, and scientific progress. Discover the power of curiosity in knowledge, overcoming fear, and historical parallels in science denial.