An “Earth Day” View of Life in the Universe

  • Wednesday, April 22, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 2:30pm
  • Downtown Raleigh

 

Earthset captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, during the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon. A muted blue Earth with bright white clouds sets behind the cratered lunar surface. The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On Earth’s day side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region. In the foreground, Ohm crater has terraced edges and a flat floor interrupted by central peaks. Central peaks form in complex craters when the lunar surface, liquefied on impact, splashes upwards during the crater’s formation.Image Credit: NASA

Image Credit: NASA S/N:3500015

Today’s Topic

Join us on Earth Day for a presentation on the search for life beyond Earth, where we’ll explore some of the other planets and moons where life could potentially exist. We will discuss endeavors toward becoming a spacefaring civilization, the science of placing Earth in context among the stars, and our quest to know if we are alone in the universe.

Our Expert

Dr. Rachel Smith, Head of the NCMNS Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab and Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University

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Details

Details

Date:
April 22
Times:
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Venue

SECU Daily Planet Theater

Nature Research Center
121 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601 United States
Phone:
919.707.9800

Organizer

Chris Smith
919.707.9296