Meetings

Cosmic history had a mysterious ‘beginning’ nearly 14 million years ago. We understand in outline the emergence of atoms, galaxies, stars and planets — and how, on at least one planet, life emerged and developed a complex biosphere of which we are part. We have learnt also that many (perhaps most) stars are orbited by retinues of planets, many resembling the Earth. So might we expect life to exist on some of them? These issues will be addressed, along with the future prospects for space science and exploration.