Nerd Nite SF #65: Life Beyond Earth, Wild West Science, and TBA!

"Searching for Life Elsewhere: A discovery of Earth and a glimpse into the value of humanity" by Dr. Sanjoy Som

Astronomers are finding thousands of planets orbiting far away stars. Why are we so keen in discovering them? We'll discuss the interdisciplinary approach of searching for life beyond Earth, and what it may mean to be human. Geologists, atmospheric scientists and astronomers (among others) work hand in hand to answer one of the most exciting question in science: are we alone?

Dr. Som is a scientist, engineer, and social entrepreneur passionate about space exploration and astrobiology, and how these disciplines can increase STEM awareness and excitement among the public. He founded and the non-profit Blue Marble Space and works at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA.

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"Frontier Myths and Rogue Science in the American West" by Heather Yager

From 1849 to 1852 San Francisco's population sextupled in size, giving rise to the boomtown that housed the people and places we weave into the stories we tell today: The Gold Rush, the Barbary Coast district, the Vigilance Committees, Emperor Norton. In the midst of myth of the "Wild West," seven men met and started a science club, formally named the California Academy of Sciences. With manuscripts and objects from the Academy's archives, we'll take a look at what it was like to be a practicing scientist in the late 19th century – the "nerds of the frontier" if you will.

Heather Yager is the Head Librarian of the California Academy of Sciences. She has spent the past ten years working in a variety of natural history museums, making science into history and making history into bytes. When not at the museum, she plays the piano.