On Nov 21, Philippe Reekie hosted an Astrobiology-themed Public Observatory Night, celebrating one of the most thought-provoking topics in space science. After a brief introduction where Philippe highlighted his own contributions to the search for life on Mars, the event began with a compelling talk by Jenny Calahan. Jenny’s presentation focused on building habitable worlds and exploring how humanity might create environments suitable for life beyond Earth. This was followed by Xavier Portillo’s (Harvard Medical School) fascinating dive into the RNA world, shedding light on biomolecules that predate DNA and their significance in the origins of life. One of the evening’s standout moments was Lisa Bravata, Harvard Plate Stacks Curator, showcasing an impressive collection of historic artifacts tied to humanity’s enduring quest for extraterrestrial life.
