is the study of life in the universe and of the terrestrial environments and planetary and stellar processes that support it. To study astrobiology is to ask questions that cut across multiple disciplines and could take lifetimes to answer. The field gathers expertise from a host of other disciplines including biology, chemistry, geology, oceanography, atmospheric and Earth science, aeronautical engineering and of course astronomy itself.

These questions also include: What can Earth鈥檚 own species, and its chemical past, tell us about how to spot life elsewhere? How did the first cells arise? Can we map the surfaces of exoplanets? How can we motivate students to be curious about space?

Every two years, researchers gather from around the world to share and discuss their latest findings in a weeklong conference. Called for short, this year鈥檚 conference will be held June 24-28 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bellevue. It鈥檚 the biggest meeting of astrobiologists in the world and dozens of 天美影视传媒 researchers will attend and participate.

Public attitudes have warmed greatly toward astrobiology in the 21^st century, prompted by exoplanet discoveries and exploration of other worlds in the solar system. Study of extraterrestrial life remains a hopeful science wryly aware that, as an old joke goes, it has yet to prove that its very subject matter exists.

The UW founded its own program in 1999, involving roughly 30 faculty and about as many students a year. “The program is a leader in both training the next generation of astrobiologists and in fundamental astrobiology research,” said , UW professor of astronomy and principal investigator for the UW-based , which explores computer models of planetary environments and will be the subject of a .

“The Astrobiology Science Conference is the biggest meeting of astrobiologists in the world, and this year, members of the UW Astrobiology Program are playing a major role in conference organization, as well as presenting our research at the meeting,” said Meadows, who chaired the science committee for AcSciCon2019.

Here are several UW presentations and papers scheduled for the weeklong conference. Though the lead presenter is listed here only, most projects involve the work of several colleagues.

• A study of water vapor and ice particles emitting from the plume on Saturn’s moon Enceladus, leading to a better understanding of the moon’s subsurface ocean. With Earth and space sciences doctoral student and colleagues. ()
• An examination of whether the coming James Webb Space Telescope will be able to detect atmospheres for all worlds in the intriguing, seven-planet system TRAPPIST-1, and finding that clouds and water vapor in the planets’ atmospheres might make such study more challenging. With astronomy and astrobiology doctoral student and colleagues. ()
• Description of a new open-source computer software package called VPLanet that simulates a wide range of planetary systems across billions of years, simulating atmospheres, orbits and stellar phenomena that can affect a planet’s ability to sustain liquid water on its surface, which is key to life. With Rory Barnes and colleagues. ()
• An exploration of how viruses and hosts co-evolved, enabling microbial life in extremely cold brines. With oceanography professor ().
• Modeling Earth’s atmosphere 2.7 billion years ago and the effect of iron-rich micrometeorites that rained down, melted and interacted with the surrounding gases, leading to a better understanding of carbon dioxide levels at that time. With Earth and space sciences graduate student and colleagues. ()
• A presentation on the UW Astronomy Department’s successful outreach to students through its that visits K-12 schools, enabling them to create shows of their own. With astronomy research assistant professor and several colleagues. and .)
• An exploration of how to determine if oxygen detected on an exoplanet is really produced by life, using high-resolution planetary spectra from ground-based telescopes. With , an astronomy doctoral student, and colleagues. ()
• A discussion of how studying a giant Pacific Octopus might help us learn more about different forms of cognition and better know and understand life beyond Earth 鈥� if we ever find it. With , a doctoral student in psychology. ()
• A study of microbial life in extremely cold brines within unfrozen subsurface areas of permafrost, and their possible relevance to similar environments on Mars or icy moons in the solar system. With , a doctoral student in biological oceanography, and colleagues. (.)

Many other UW faculty members will participate, either with reports on their own research or in support of colleagues or graduate students. These include ESS professors , , , , , astronomy professors , and , among others.

Astrobiologists such as Sullivan point out that the field鈥檚 focus and scientific benefit is about more than simply hunting for life, though that is the key motivator.

“It鈥檚 about thinking about life in a cosmic context. And about the origin and evolution of life,” Sullivan said.

“Even if you only care about Earth life, astrobiology is a viable 鈥� fundamental, I would say 鈥� interdisciplinary science that thrives independently of the existence of extraterrestrial life.鈥�

The sundial, about 6 feet across and located between the Legislative Building and the Joel Pritchard Library on the Capitol Campus, was designed by artist John W. Elliot. It has eight panels depicting scenes from Washington’s territorial history, from Capt. Vancouver’s exploration of Puget Sound to the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Installed in January 1959, the sundial was removed in July 2017 for its first-ever overhaul. Both its copper face and its 鈥� the part that casts a shadow 鈥� were worn and needed repair.

Sullivan, an emeritus member of the UW Astronomy Department faculty 鈥� who has a longstanding interest in sundials 鈥� consulted on the work.

“The original thin copper material on the face is subject to slight wrinkling and movement over time, which while not very visible would throw off the sundial’s accuracy,” said Sullivan. “A thicker, completely level, and more durable surface is needed 鈥� not to mention a sturdier gnomon 鈥� to preserve its time-keeping abilities into the future.”

The recasting was done by Seattle art contractor Fabrication Services, Ltd., which used the original mold to recast the dial’s artwork in bronze, and also designed a sturdier gnomon. Due to the sundial’s size, the recasting was done in eight sections, using a traditional sand-casting process. A protective coating was added to seal and stabilize the surface.

The long-needed repairs were paid for with operating dollars designated in the Public and Historic Facilities Fund for care of campus memorials and artwork.

The sundial was re-dedicated in a January 30 ceremony featuring speakers from the Governor’s Office, the State Arts Commission and the state department of Enterprise Services, which oversaw its renovation, as well as Sullivan.

“The true miracle of the day,” Sullivan said later, “was that it was sunny.”

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Adapted from a by Washington State Enterprise Services. For more on Woody Sullivan and his work, contact him at woody@astro.washington.edu.

鈥� “Woody” for short 鈥� is a 天美影视传媒 professor emeritus of and co-founder of the . He sat down with UW Today for a wide-ranging talk about the search for life beyond Earth, his plan to pen a historical biography 鈥� and “the world’s first working sundial tattoo.” It鈥檚 all part of a multifaceted career that is changing gears, but far from winding down.

Would you describe your recent work with UW astronomy alumnus Adam Frank? It was covered by the New York Times under the headline, “.”听

Well, scientists don’t like to use the term “aliens,” but that is a decent summary. In 鈥� the search for extraterrestrial intelligence 鈥� one normally thinks about the actual problem of communication. And so you want to know how many are simultaneously existing.

We are saying that the Kepler mission, which has discovered so many exoplanets around other stars, allowed us to nail down several factors in the so that we could ask a different question: how many technological species like us have ever existed. We now can reliably estimate, for example, that in our Milky Way alone there are about 60 billion habitable planets.

It’s a philosophical thing to be concerned about how many past civilizations have occurred. You could think of it as a sort of cosmic archaeology. If you could travel around to planets not just in our own galaxy but in other galaxies 鈥� like an archaeologist goes around the world looking for evidence 鈥� we’re saying that it seems likely that you’d find evidence of these guys all over. And wouldn’t that be interesting?

We can now estimate how many habitable planets there are in the universe. But we don’t know, given a habitable planet, how often life begins and evolves to technology. Now if you want to posit that there’s never been a second such civilization in our entire universe, how pessimistic must you be? The answer is that you have to think that, given a habitable planet, the odds of a technological species emerging are worse than one chance in 10 billion trillion. That’s only one chance in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000!

This shows the degree of pessimism that you must have to say that we are unique over the entire 13 billion year history of the universe.

Is there more work ahead for you and Adam Frank?

No, we’re still talking but I am not looking to do any more research on that. He will continue with his modeling work, which uses mathematical models to ask what ways we can imagine technological civilizations changing over millions of years.

You are writing a biography of astronomer (1738-1822). Why a biography, and why Herschel?

I’ve done much research and teaching in the history of astronomy over the decades, but never a biography, so that’s part of the fascination, to do something new. And Herschel has so many aspects 鈥� he was certainly one of a handful of the greatest observers of all time 鈥� discovered the planet Uranus, mapped out the Milky Way, discovered infrared radiation, and on and on.

He was a musician until he was age 40, but not just a player; he composed 20 symphonies and concertos and so forth. There have been many biographies of Herschel, even in the last 10 years, but they all focus on the astronomy and give half a chapter to the music. I’m not going to make that mistake. I’m collaborating with a musicologist who was a physics undergraduate. We are just beginning. And the key thing is, can we find connections between his science and his music and the way he thought about music and composing?

Another aspect is the technology 鈥� when he flipped to being an astronomer, Herschel learned how to make telescopes. And these were the world’s largest telescopes, mirrors made out of polished metal; you couldn’t make large glass mirrors in that era. His largest was 4 feet in diameter. He had a foundry in his basement! All self taught 鈥� just an amazing guy.

Yet another aspect is his interest in extraterrestrial life. He was convinced that all the planets were inhabited by intelligent beings 鈥� and even the sun.

The sun as well?

The sun as well, which is why everyone goes ho ho ho! But, it was a very rational thing 鈥� the sun was a cold solid with a hot upper atmosphere 鈥� just the grandest of all the inhabited planets.

Let’s move to your great interest in 鈥� you have created or consulted on the design of many, including even one . What sparked that interest, and when?

My sundial interest began very specifically in 1991. I got interested because three years before we moved in to the new Physics-Astronomy Building in 1994, the architects asked, what do you want? I’m thinking of my interest in history of science and art and design, so I casually said, “A sundial would be nice.” Since then, it’s hard to believe 鈥� like getting married 鈥� that there’s a phase in my life before that.

Any sundial projects now underway?

I am working with the University of California, San Diego, and a Seattle architect, for a sundial that’s going up on a new building there this winter. It’s a wall dial, but a different design in many ways than the . It will be 50 feet above the ground with a very asymmetric design.

That’s my current public sundial project. Then there is the sundial tattoo, which I call a private sundial project.

A sundial tattoo? What’s the story behind that?

This started with a paleontologist graduate student in the astrobiology program. She likes sundials and we got talking and over the last couple of years we designed it. The idea was for her to have it, but she now has her degree and has since left town.

Meanwhile I said to myself, dammit 鈥� that would be pretty neat. In April I gave a talk to the British Sundial Society about the technical details and showed the decal I’d made for my inner forearm. I’m going to write it up for their publication. The world’s first working sundial tattoo!

Will you get the sundial tattoo decal permanently inked? 聽

My daughter asks, “Are you going to want it five years from now?” But it would be on the inside of my arm, not obvious. I’m seriously thinking about it, but haven’t made the final decision 鈥� I already have the required bracelet.

A clich茅 question but: Is there a discovery you wish you had made that didn’t happen 鈥� a “one that got away”?

(Laughs.) I think I have been very fortunate in being able to work on things I found satisfying. I do also want to write a book called “Astronomy and Culture,” looking at the many aspects of how astronomy bears on the broader culture. I’ve written a couple of chapters.

One other thing 鈥� and it’s much larger than me 鈥� is that I hope, before I “shuffle off this mortal coil,” that we do find strong evidence for extraterrestrial life. Microbial life is the most likely.

If we found life somewhere down deep on Mars, should we dig it up and study it? Or protect the planet as is, on the theory that we are the invading “virus”?

There are different points of view even among scientists 鈥� many are gung-ho to terraform Mars 鈥� turn it into something like Earth. I’m very much against this. I wrote a paper on what I call “” and said we have the unique chance to not screw up environmentally other planets and moons, like we have on Earth.

Our technological civilization has avoided screwing up the Antarctic through a treaty that’s now 60 years old. A main reason why it has worked there is probably the lack of resources that are economically worthwhile 鈥� but it worked. Could we do the same for Mars?

Which brings us to astrobiology 鈥� the field has come a long way toward acceptance since you and others founded the UW Astrobiology Program in the late 1990s.

Oh absolutely. It’s been a real sea change. It’s entirely different now. It’s a key part of the Astronomy Department and others such as Earth and Space Sciences.

I’ve been involved with SETI since the late ’70s 鈥� and it was then very radical, an odd thing. There were a few key people involved, and 鈥� but most astronomers really looked askance at it. And that has come around entirely.

Astrobiology takes a much broader view than just SETI, which was always focused on getting a radio signal. But astrobiology looks at the origin of life, and its evolution, and the nature of life. I got more and more fascinated with that. And now it has become an accepted field, and our Program one of the best in the world.

Did anyone ever say, “This is all fine, but find us at least one other example of life in the universe 鈥�” ?

Well, that’s the standard comeback. They say, “Astrobiology is the only science that has yet to prove that its subject matter exists.”

But the point is, astrobiology is not just about extraterrestrial life, though that’s a key motivator. It’s about thinking about life in a cosmic context. And about the origin and evolution of life. Is anything inevitable about the evolution of life? For example, does it have to undergo something like a ?

Even if you only care about Earth life, Astrobiology is a viable 鈥� fundamental, I would say 鈥� interdisciplinary science that thrives independently of the existence of extraterrestrial life.

It’s a way of thinking, a way of thinking about our own biosphere. And then hoping we can find other biospheres 鈥� or biomes, as they may not be spherical, it might be just a little patch somewhere 500 meters deep in a certain location on Mars. It’s a really tough problem, to find that second one.

It’s been delightful over my career to see that shift. Because I have had eclectic interests, and astrobiology has supplied a much more complete look at things than just being a radio astronomer, which I was trained to be.

Do you suspect that life is in fact common in the universe?

Yes! That’s one reason why the study of astrobiology has flourished 鈥� because the more we look into the nature and origin of life, we don’t see anything special. You’ve got to have the right chemical ingredients 鈥� but they are not special, these ingredients. From biology and astronomy we know that.

You also need time and energy, but there are many sources of energy around, and billions of years to play with. And so, it seems that life of some sort must get going at many times and at many places.

Now, once it gets started, does it evolve at all like Earth? That’s a fascinating open question. Does it stay at the microbial stage forever? I mean, we stayed in the microbial stage for three billion years! We just don’t know for the cases of possible extraterrestrial life 鈥� that’s what motivates us to press on with research and exploration.

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For more information about Sullivan and his work, contact him at woody@astro.washington.edu.

A Nov. 7 concert in Seattle’s Benaroya Hall promises to offer the audience a decidedly stellar musical experience.

The event, “,” will pair live performances of new compositions with video and slideshow scenes depicting cosmic events like the Big Bang, as well as scenes from distant worlds and Earth’s own life-filled history. The , under the direction of Grammy Award-winning conductor David Sabee, will perform the eight works by while the projected scenes unfold before the audience’s eyes.

The topics covered by the musical selections include a wide array of subjects in planetary sciences, cosmology, astrobiology and evolution.

“The audience will see major events in the universe鈥檚 history, set to music inspired by those events,” said 天美影视传媒 astronomy professor , who is coordinating the UW’s involvement in the concert. “These are major topics in astronomy and astrobiology, from the founding of the universe and the universe’s ultimate fate to things like the origin of life and the planets.”

The one-time event is presented by , the Composition Lab, the UW and interdisciplinary . Portions of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit graduate students in both the Department of Astronomy and the Astrobiology Program.

The concert is the brainchild of local musician , who has also composed one of the eight pieces that the orchestra will perform. Burmer, a physician and biotech executive who earned her doctorate and M.D. at the UW, sees this event as a way to use art to connect the public to science.

“She has invented an amazingly creative approach to interest the public in science,” said Sullivan, who formerly led the astrobiology program, “at a time when science literacy is a serious issue in our country.”

Burmer selected seven other local composers, including a musical prodigy who is just 12 years old, to craft works for the concert around topics in astronomy or astrobiology. The composers chose their themes after meeting with UW scientists who pursue research in fields ranging from the Big Bang and star formation to how life evolved on Earth and whether it exists on other planets.

“They all had to find a muse to drive the composition,” said Burmer.聽 “Each composer has to feel emotionally attached to the subject and inspired by the subject.”

The scientific subjects became themes for each composition, which will be reflected in the visual elements projected on screen above the stage as the orchestra plays, said Burmer. These will be videos and slideshows created from open-source images, as well as simulations of astronomical phenomena or life on other worlds. They have made a of samples from the concert pieces paired with their visuals.

In some cases, the choice of complex subject matter inspired unusual creative touches. For part of Burmer’s piece depicting the Big Bang 鈥� the single cosmic event that created the universe over 13 billion years ago 鈥� a team of UW student percussionists will use the walls of Benaroya Hall’s main auditorium as an instrument, with permission from hall managers of course.

Burmer and Sullivan arranged for several free public events in which composers and UW scientists could discuss how the pieces integrate astronomy and astrobiology research.

On Oct. 1, UW astronomy professor discussed the origins of nebulae and stars, which will be explored at the concert by Nan Avant’s composition “Bijoux.” Burmer discussed the visual and musical elements in her piece, “The Big Bang,” with UW astronomy professor on Oct. 17. On Oct. 20, will take place at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center IMAX theater. 聽UW oceanography professor and composer Barry Dowsett, who wrote “The Evolution of Carbon and Stardust,” will discuss the role of oceans and volcanic activity in the origin of life on Earth.

Burmer hopes these public discussions will build public interest for the real event on Nov. 7.

“I want people to understand the beauty and the awe of science, and live music really draws you in,” said Burmer. “When people come in and see it, I want them to gasp and go, ‘Wow!'”

“Origins: Life and the Universe” will be held Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. Tickets are available for purchase or by calling the Benaroya Hall Ticket Office at 206-215-4747.

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For more information, contact Sullivan at 206-543-7773 or woody@astro.washington.edu or Burmer at 206-465-6841 or support@burmermusic.com.