Have We Overlooked Life in Space

Join a fascinating evening under the Planetarium dome's starry sky as we explore one of humanity's greatest questions: Are we alone in the universe? The event marks 50 years of the search for life on Mars and delves into some of the most mysterious discoveries that continue to challenge science.

In 1976, NASA's Viking missions landed on Mars and detected gas emissions from the soil that could indicate microorganisms. Since then, new and puzzling findings have emerged — including the so-called "leopard spots" photographed by the Perseverance rover on a cliff face in 2024. These structures resemble patterns that microorganisms can create on Earth, but is it sufficient evidence?

You will hear two distinct perspectives: Mars researcher Morten Bo Madsen from the University of Copenhagen, who has been involved in all of NASA's missions to Mars' surface since 1997, and science journalist Gunver Lystbæk Vestergård, Ph.D. in science journalism and author of "Our Living Universe". Together, they unfold the details, doubts, and hopes behind the search for life on other planets.

Program

• 19.15: Welcome
• 19.20–20.00: "Have We Overlooked Life in Space?" — Part 1 by Gunver Lystbæk Vestergård
• 20.00: Break
• 20.20–21.00: "Have We Overlooked Life in Space?" — Part 2 by Morten Bo Madsen
• 21.00–21.30: Questions from the audience

Admission: 225 DKK. Planetarium.