Uploaded March 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Many of us have dreamed of what alien life may be like. We've created extraterrestrial beings in our science fiction stories, and we've imagined what a visit to an alien biosphere might be like. With upcoming missions to other worlds in our solar system and continued discoveries about planets that orbit other stars far away, it begins to feel like we are continually approaching a time when we might have an answer to the age-old question, "Are we alone in the universe?"
What might alien life be like if it exists? Astrobiologists have a lot of ideas, mostly based on what we know about life here on Earth. In the Craziest Creatures on Earth, we'll learn about some of the weird creatures that dwell on this planet and what the extremes of life on Earth can teach us about life in general. What are the limits of life? Should we expect aliens to fly, or walk, or swim? Will aliens have senses of sight and hearing that are similar to ours? Join Dr. Graham Lau and Fiske Planetarium for a presentation and discussion about the world's wackiest organisms and what they can tell us about potential alien life.
Dr. Graham Lau is an astrobiologist and communicator of science. With an academic background spanning biology, chemistry, astrophysics, and geology, Dr. Lau is an expert on how living things affect the environment around them and how we search for alien life beyond the Earth. Since earning his doctorate from CU Boulder, Dr. Lau has gone on to serve as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Blue Marble Space and as a Research Investigator through the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science (BMSIS). He's also a member of the Center for Life Detection through NASA Ames Research Center, the Director of Logistics for the University Rover Challenge, and he's the Host of the NASA Astrobiology Program show “Ask an Astrobiologist”.
If you have any additional questions, comments, or want to find out more about upcoming talks, contact us at: scienceunderthedome@colorado.edu
This virtual series made possible with the support from the CU Office of Outreach and Engagement.
We would like to acknowledge:
University of Colorado Boulder, APS Department
SkySkan Inc. and their amazing software DigitalSky2 that made this possible.
Fiske is one of the largest planetariums in the US, having served CU Boulder & the local community since 1975. We offer a diverse range of fulldome films, live talks, laser and liquid sky shows, as well as public gatherings for astronomical and NASA-related events.
Follow Fiske Planetarium:
Website | https://www.colorado.edu/fiske
Instagram | instagram.com/fiskeplanet
Facebook | facebook.com/teamfiske
Many of us have dreamed of what alien life may be like. We've created extraterrestrial beings in our science fiction stories, and we've imagined what a visit to an alien biosphere might be like. With upcoming missions to other worlds in our solar system and continued discoveries about planets that orbit other stars far away, it begins to feel like we are continually approaching a time when we might have an answer to the age-old question, "Are we alone in the universe?"
What might alien life be like if it exists? Astrobiologists have a lot of ideas, mostly based on what we know about life here on Earth. In the Craziest Creatures on Earth, we'll learn about some of the weird creatures that dwell on this planet and what the extremes of life on Earth can teach us about life in general. What are the limits of life? Should we expect aliens to fly, or walk, or swim? Will aliens have senses of sight and hearing that are similar to ours? Join Dr. Graham Lau and Fiske Planetarium for a presentation and discussion about the world's wackiest organisms and what they can tell us about potential alien life.
Dr. Graham Lau is an astrobiologist and communicator of science. With an academic background spanning biology, chemistry, astrophysics, and geology, Dr. Lau is an expert on how living things affect the environment around them and how we search for alien life beyond the Earth. Since earning his doctorate from CU Boulder, Dr. Lau has gone on to serve as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Blue Marble Space and as a Research Investigator through the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science (BMSIS). He's also a member of the Center for Life Detection through NASA Ames Research Center, the Director of Logistics for the University Rover Challenge, and he's the Host of the NASA Astrobiology Program show “Ask an Astrobiologist”.
If you have any additional questions, comments, or want to find out more about upcoming talks, contact us at: scienceunderthedome@colorado.edu
This virtual series made possible with the support from the CU Office of Outreach and Engagement.
We would like to acknowledge:
University of Colorado Boulder, APS Department
SkySkan Inc. and their amazing software DigitalSky2 that made this possible.
Fiske is one of the largest planetariums in the US, having served CU Boulder & the local community since 1975. We offer a diverse range of fulldome films, live talks, laser and liquid sky shows, as well as public gatherings for astronomical and NASA-related events.
Follow Fiske Planetarium:
Website | https://www.colorado.edu/fiske
Instagram | instagram.com/fiskeplanet
Facebook | facebook.com/teamfiske
