The Fermi Paradox - Where are the Aliens?

Synopsis:

The ‘Fermi Paradox’ refers to the mismatch between a widely held expectation that advanced technological life should be common in the Universe — recently given impetus by the discovery that other planetary systems are common — and the absence of any evidence for it. In this talk, I will briefly review attempted solutions to the paradox and conclude that either (i) extraterrestrial technological civilisations are extremely rare (or absent) in the Galaxy; or (ii) that they exist but are deliberately hiding from us. I will argue that the former is the more likely solution to the Paradox, disappointing though that may be.

Bio:

Ian Crawford is an astronomer turned planetary scientist, and is currently Professor of Planetary Science and Astrobiology at Birkbeck College, University of London. His research is split between lunar science, space exploration, and various topics in astrobiology. A more detailed summary of interests, and list of…