We are on the cusp of a golden age of space travel in which, for the first time, large numbers of people will be able to venture into space. Join us for a talk by Scott Solomon, Teaching Professor of BioSciences at Rice University and Director of the Center for Science Communication and Public Engagement. Some intend to stay. But what happens—and will happen—to us in the extreme conditions of space? What should space tourists expect during a journey to an orbiting space station, the Moon, or Mars? What would happen to children born on another planet? Would they evolve into a new species? There is a lot we know about what happens to humans and other species in space, yet many questions remain. Addressing them will require collaboration across disciplines: not just physics and engineering but also the life sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Indeed, as we move forward with the possibility of becoming multiplanetary, we must understand what the consequences will be for all humanity—both in the cosmos and here on Earth.

Sponsored by the Physics and Astronomy department and the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, this event is free and open to the public.