An art-filled residence Dr. William A. Haseltine and his wife, Maria Eugenia Maury, housed an evening salon with the Carnegie Science Foundation. The recent salon was the third in a series on “Origins”. It’s specific title was Origins of Life: The Formation of Earth And Our Solar System. Welcoming his guests Bill explained, “We’ve traveled to Chile where Carnegie has built, and continues to build, more and more powerful telescopes that are helping us understand the origins of the universe. They’re doing really interesting work there. Tonight, we have a very special conversation, what is the origin of this particular matter that we circle the sun on? The origins of our planet earth.”
Next, Dr. Eric D. Isaacs, President of Carnegie Science, gave a setting for the evening’s happenings, “In our past salons, we examined the origins of the universe and the formation of all the elements, which is what we’re made of, or as Carl Sagan said, ‘star stuff’. Tonight, we’re going to hear about the origins and evolution of the earth and the solar system. Both very interesting topics, one that we know a little better than about distant stars because it’s right here in our neighborhood. As we learn about the earth and how the earth formed, and how life might have evolved on Earth, we’re going to see how that informs our search for signatures of life on other planets. To guide our conversation tonight, we have two outstanding scientists from Carnegie Science. Dr. Anat Shahar, a staff scientist in what we call an Earth and Planets Lab. He is a deputy for science advancement at Carnegie. Also here is Dr. Scott. He a member of the Earth and Planets Lab, whose fascinating research looks at everything beyond Pluto.”
A conclusion of complex inquiries left Steve Martin in a state of dissatisfaction to which he momentarily resolved by saying, “and we need an answer right away” (which got a big laugh). Father Timothy Healy (former president of Georgetown University) who, reassuringly said, “I don’t really see any discrepancies between theology and science.”
Guests included Veronique Bich, Joan Hardy Clark, Ed Epstein, Robert Hormats, Jeanne Lawrence, Encarnita and Robert Quinlan, Yolanda Santos, Anne Stringfield and two dozen top scientists and researchers.
The Haseltine’s will host another Carnegie Science Foundation salon in February.
