Prof Dr Björn Poppe
Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics

Moderation: NDR 1 Niedersachsen

Camera: David (8 years old)

We all know them from science fiction films: planets that are inhabited by aliens or that you can visit with a spaceship.

Almost every star we see in the sky is very similar to our sun. Until a few years ago, there was still debate as to whether there were any planets outside our solar system at all.

In the meantime, however, scientists have developed telescopes and measuring instruments that can be used to find distant planets.

We now know that there are planets orbiting almost all stars. But the experts can do much more: they are even searching for traces of life on these distant worlds! Is it really possible for us humans to discover extraterrestrial life forms?

In this lecture, we will show you how astronomers use telescopes and satellites to find new planets and how they search for traces of life. You will also learn how you can find stars that have planets.