Observatory event asks: is there anybody out there?

A TEAM of scientists gathered at Edinburgh's Royal Observatory last night to pose the question: "Are We Alone in the Universe?"

The aim of the workshop was to gather researchers from areas including astrophysics, geophysics and biology to discuss astronomical instruments, both present and future, and laboratory-based experiments studying extreme environments.

The workshop has five sessions, continuing today and tomorrow, with key speakers in astrobiology, atmospheric physics and astrophysics, from universities across the country and several international institutions.

Professor Ian Robson, director of the STFC UK Astronomy and Technology Centre (UK ATC), the national centre for astronomical technology, housed at the Royal Observatory, said that the search for life is one of the most fundamental questions regarding our universe, adding: "The UK ATC is very enthusiastic in taking a leading role in developing such capability."