RASC Vancouver Special Meeting (In person at SFU, online Zoom optional)

Join us for a special meeting! All of our monthly meetings are free and open to the public.

Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89921464207?pwd=ZgZSdQV5VGiveIZPQ1m2txEKVhZnu2.1

Location: Simon Fraser University Burnaby Room AQ3149

Topic: Exploring the Cosmos: 40 Years of SETI Research

Speaker: Dr. Franck Marchis

Bio: Dr. Franck Marchis is a senior astronomer and director of citizen science at the SETI Institute and Chief Science Officer and co-founder at Unistellar. Marchis moved to the United States in Oct. 2000 shortly after getting a Ph.D. from the University of Toulouse in France that he acquired while traveling around the world for his research and for the sake of exploration. He is known for astronomical research published in Nature, Science, and other high-ranking journals, including discovery of the first triple-asteroid system in 2005, study of the binary trojan asteroid Patroclus in 2006, direct imaging of the first Jupiter-like exoplanet in 2015, and significant achievements related to the use of 8-10m class ground-based telescopes equipped with adaptive optics (AO). Marchis is also involved in startups focused on science outreach and astronomy, and joined Unistellar as a Chief Scientific Officer and VR2Planets as a scientific advisor in 2017. In 2022, he founded Dope Space, a company dedicated to outreach, entertainment, and education for the New Space industry.

Marchis is a member of numerous science committees, including the GPI steering Committee, the TMT Science Definition Team, the Frontiers editorial board, the Project Blue Advisory board, and, since Oct. 2019, has been a member of the IAA SETI Permanent Committee. He has co-authored more than 400 scientific publications, trained numerous students, and served as a science consultant and interviewee for documentaries and movies in English, French, and Spanish. The asteroid (6639) was named Marchis in honor of his discovery of the first triple-asteroid system. In 2023, he became a fellow of the California Academy of Sciences in recognition for his work in outreach and the search for life in the Universe.

Abstract: For millennia, humans have gazed at the stars, wondering if we are alone in the universe. Forty years ago, this age-old question took a scientific turn with the establishment of the SETI Institute. Franck Marchis, Senior Astronomer and Director of Citizen Science at the Institute, will provide an engaging update on the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence. This presentation will cover the innovative methods and technologies currently in use, along with highlighting significant recent findings. While definitive evidence of extraterrestrial life remains elusive, our understanding has expanded dramatically.

Join us as we explore the potential of discovering an inhabited exoplanet in the next decade, a discovery that could fundamentally alter our view of the universe and our place within it.

About our Events:

All RASC lectures and observing events are open to the public, family friendly, and there is no charge for admission. Our organization is run entirely by volunteers who love astronomy and astrophysics. Whether you're a complete beginner, a seasoned astronomer, or you hope to work for NASA some day, anyone fascinated by space exploration is welcome and will enjoy our events