Author: Tiffany Christian

I Want to Believe: Probability, Alien Life, and Exoplanets

Humans have always sought to answer the question: What is our place in the universe? From the Earth-centered universe of the Middle Ages to the Copernican heliocentric solar system, Earth has had varying degrees of importance in this cosmic play. Earth’s shift from the literal center of the universe to somewhere off to the side is taken to mean by some scientists that there is nothing special about our planet in general, that we occupy a completely mediocre place in the cosmos Following that line of reasoning, if Earth is common then Earth-like planets and possibly complex life would also be common. Other scientists go against the Copernican principle and argue that Earth-like planets are very rare.  However, with the increasing number and variety of exo-solar systems that are being discovered, it becomes hard to believe that we would find ourselves in a completely unremarkable place.

I believe that a new understanding of Earth’s place is needed given our access to new alien solar systems and planets. My sources include NASA’s own data from the Kepler Telescope, as well as books written by astronomers, astrophysicists, and other scientists. I will argue that Earth is neither average nor rare. In addition, I will incorporate mathematical concepts to better understand what it means to be average. To understand life’s place in the universe, I will also discuss the origin of the universe and life on Earth. Analyzing the bio-philic propensity of our universe and our planet will ultimately inform a strategy for searching for life elsewhere.

Aliens and Exoplanets Draft #2

Humans have always sought to answer the question of what is our place in the universe. This debate has recently come to include scientists from diverse disciplines. From the Earth centered universe of the Middle Ages to the Copernican heliocentric solar system, Earth has had varying degrees of importance in this cosmic play. This shift from the literal center of the universe to somewhere off to the side is taken to mean that there is nothing special about Earth in general, that we occupy a completely mediocre place in the cosmos. Following that line of reasoning, if Earth is common then Earth-like and possibly complex life would also be common. However, with the increasing number of exo-solar systems that are being discovered it becomes hard to believe that we find ourselves in a completely unremarkable place.

I believe that a new understanding of Earth’s place is needed given our access to new alien solar systems and planets. My sources include NASA’s own data and books written by leading scientists. Using these I will suggest that Earth is neither average nor rare. In addition, the incorporation of mathematical concepts will be used to better understand what it means to be average. To understand life’s place in the universe, the origin of the universe and life on Earth will be discussed. Analyzing the bio-philic propensity of our universe and our planet will ultimately inform a strategy for searching for life elsewhere.

Searching for Aliens – Abstract

Humans have always sought to answer the question of what is our place in the universe. From the Earth centered universe of the Middle Ages to the Copernican heliocentric universe, Earth had a varying degrees of importance in this cosmic play. This shift from the literal center of the universe to somewhere to the side is taken to mean that there is nothing special about Earth in general, that we occupy completely mediocre place in the cosmos. If Earth is average, following that line reasoning would be that earthlike planets, and possibly complex life would also be a common. However, with the increasing number of exo-solar systems that are being discovered it becomes hard to believe that we find ourselves in a completely unremarkable place.  I believe that a new understanding of Earth’s place is needed given our access to new alien solar systems and planets. Using NASA’s own data as well as books written by leading scientists, I can mediate between Earth being average and being rare. In addition, the incorporation of mathematical concepts will be used to better understand what it means to be average. To understand life’s place in the universe, the origin of the universe and life on Earth will be discussed. Analyzing the bio-philic propensity of our universe and our planet, will ultimately inform a strategy for searching for life elsewhere.

8 Week Syllabus: I Want to Believe – Probability, Alien Life, and Exoplanets

Course Description

Humans have always asked are we alone? We were fascinated with the unknown and what creatures lurked in the far away corners of the map and behind the stars. It was not until recently until we as a species had the technology to really intensify and standardize our search. In this course we exploring both the real and fictional search for aliens by humans. From popular television shows to NASA’s real life exploratory missions, students will learn the methodology and the science behind searching for alien life as well as the philosophical implications and other ramifications of being successful in our search.

The long running science fiction television show, The X-Files, will introduce us to aspects that represent the struggles of looking for aliens as well what exactly do we expect or desire to see from our intelligent relatives from across the universe. And what does that say about our own desires and nature.

Continue reading 8 Week Syllabus: I Want to Believe – Probability, Alien Life, and Exoplanets

I Want to Believe: Aliens, Probability, and Exoplanets —- Four Week Syllabus

Course Description

Humans have always wondered if we were alone in the universe. We were fascinated with the unknown and what creatures lurked in the far away corners of the map and beyond the stars. It was not until recently that we, as a species, had the technology to really intensify and standardize our search. In this course, we will be exploring both the real and fictional search for aliens by humans. From popular television shows to NASA’s real life exploratory missions, students will learn the methodology and the science behind searching for alien life as well as the philosophical implications and other ramifications of being successful in our search.

Continue reading I Want to Believe: Aliens, Probability, and Exoplanets —- Four Week Syllabus

Statistical Analysis of Exoplanet Discovery

Astrostatistics is a reemerging field of interest in the larger field of astronomy. While statistics always had a role in the aerospace industry, astrophysics, and astronomy, the three fields have come together once more with the advent of more intensive ways to search for planets outside of our solar system. To find out information about planets that are outside the limits for direct observation, we rely on probability and modeling to get a sense of how these planets look and behave. In addition to learning the qualities of the planet, probability models and statistics also decide if the exoplanets candidates are likely actual planets.

What interests me is the development of these probability models. Getting deeper into how scientists develop these statistical methodologies, will enlighten me to the kinds of considerations that are the most important in identifying probable exoplanets. I also would like to explore the dynamics that arise with certainty and probability and the lack of direct observation and how that effects the confidence that scientists have in their findings. Seeing that exoplanetary research is a rising field of interest, I hope to learn more about how astronomers and statisticians develop models for future exoplanet hunting technologies. For the more mathematical portions, I plan to make use of NASA’s online research database for some sources. As well as looking at textbooks for exoplanet research, in order to get a more comprehensive/multidisciplinary view of the field.