Understanding Where Complex Life Might Thrive in our Galaxy

This week’s Science on Tap presenter, Dr. Mike Gowanlock, is an assistant professor in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems at Northern Arizona University. His talk, “Habitability on Large Scales: Understanding Where Complex Life Might Thrive in our Galaxy,” will focus on the concept of the Galactic Habitable Zone, described as the regions of the Galaxy that have the highest carrying capacity for complex life over cosmic time. This research area has recently gained significant attention with the detection of extrasolar planets over the last decade and advancements made in the multidisciplinary field of astrobiology. Several factors have been included in studies of the habitability of the Milky Way, including the effects of transient radiation events, such as supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts. These events would have a catastrophic impact on land-based life. For instance, if the Earth was in the vicinity of a supernova, the ozone layer would be depleted, thereby exposing land-based life to harmful UV radiation from the Sun. Additionally, he’ll discuss several facets of the habitability of the Milky Way, including whether the Sun is located in favorable region of the Galaxy over cosmic time.