ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dimitar Sasselov - Astronomer
Dimitar Sasselov works on uniting the physical and life sciences in the hunt for answers to the question of how life began.

Why you should listen

Dimitar Sasselov is an astronomer who explores the interaction between light and matter. He studies, among other things, extrasolar planets, and he's a co-investigator on NASA's Kepler mission, which is monitoring 100,000 stars in a three-year hunt for exoplanets -- including Jupiter-sized giants. Sasselov watches for exoplanets by looking for transits, the act of a planet passing across the face of its star, dimming its light and changing its chemical signature. This simple, elegant way of searching has led to a bounty of newly discovered planets.

Sasselov is the director of Harvard's Origins of Life Initiative, a new interdisciplinary institute that joins biologists, chemists and astronomers in searching for the starting points of life on Earth (and possibly elsewhere). What is an astronomer doing looking for the origins of life, a question more often asked by biologists? Sasselov suggests that planetary conditions are the seedbed of life; knowing the composition and conditions of a planet will give us clues, perhaps, as to how life might form there. And as we discover new planets that might host life, having a working definition of life will help us screen for possible new forms of it. Other institute members such as biologist George Church and chemist George Whitesides work on the question from other angles, looking for (and building) alternative biologies that might fit conditions elsewhere in the universe.

More profile about the speaker
Dimitar Sasselov | Speaker | TED.com
TEDGlobal 2010

Dimitar Sasselov: How we found hundreds of potential Earth-like planets

狄米特 薩塞羅夫:發現數百顆類似地球的行星

Filmed:
1,279,451 views

天文學家薩塞羅夫他的同事們所尋找的類地行星,或許有一天,能幫助我們回答數個世紀已來人類的老問題:(在無論地球或其他星球上)關於生命的起源和其他星球上是否有生命存在?他們發現了這樣的行星有多少嗎?答案是:成百以上。
- Astronomer
Dimitar Sasselov works on uniting the physical and life sciences in the hunt for answers to the question of how life began. Full bio

Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.

00:15
Well, indeed確實, I'm very, very lucky幸運.
0
0
3000
我很幸運,因為
00:18
My talk essentially實質上 got written書面
1
3000
2000
我的演講稿是由
00:20
by three historic歷史性 events事件
2
5000
2000
過去兩個月中,連續發生的三件
00:22
that happened發生 within days of each other
3
7000
2000
和歷史相關的新聞事件
00:24
in the last two months個月 --
4
9000
3000
所串連而成
00:27
seemingly似乎 unrelated無關, but as you will see,
5
12000
2000
看起來沒關連
00:29
actually其實 all having to do with
6
14000
2000
但是接下來你們會明白
00:31
the story故事 I want to tell you today今天.
7
16000
2000
它們其實全都和我今天所要講的故事有關
00:33
The first one was actually其實 a funeral葬禮 --
8
18000
3000
第一個事件是一個喪禮
00:36
to be more precise精確, a reburial安葬.
9
21000
2000
精確一點的說,是「重埋」
00:38
On May可能 22ndND, there was a hero's英雄的 reburial安葬
10
23000
3000
5月22號
00:41
in Frombork弗龍堡, Poland波蘭
11
26000
2000
在波蘭的弗龍堡
00:43
of the 16th-centuryTH-世紀 astronomer天文學家
12
28000
3000
有位16世紀天文學英雄,獲得重埋
00:46
who actually其實 changed the world世界.
13
31000
2000
他,曾因為確立了
00:48
He did that, literally按照字面,
14
33000
2000
太陽系的「日心說」
00:50
by replacing更換 the Earth地球 with the Sun太陽
15
35000
3000
取代「地心說」
00:53
in the center中央 of the Solar太陽能 System系統,
16
38000
2000
改變了世界
00:55
and then with this simple-looking看起來簡單的 act法案,
17
40000
3000
簡單的一個觀點改變
00:58
he actually其實 launched推出 a scientific科學
18
43000
2000
引發了科技革命
01:00
and technological技術性 revolution革命,
19
45000
2000
你可以稱之為
01:02
which哪一個 many許多 call the Copernican哥白尼 Revolution革命.
20
47000
3000
哥白尼革命
01:05
Now that was,
21
50000
2000
那革命
01:07
ironically諷刺地, and very befittinglybefittingly,
22
52000
3000
和後來怎樣找到哥白尼本人的墳墓
01:10
the way we found發現 his grave.
23
55000
2000
非常有關
01:12
As it was the custom習慣 of the time,
24
57000
2000
按哥白尼時代的風俗
01:14
Copernicus哥白尼 was actually其實
25
59000
2000
他和其他14個人
01:16
simply只是 buried隱藏 in an unmarked無人盯防 grave,
26
61000
3000
無名無姓的
01:19
together一起 with 14 others其他
27
64000
2000
一同合葬在
01:21
in that cathedral大教堂.
28
66000
3000
天主教堂地窖墳墓中
01:24
DNA脫氧核糖核酸 analysis分析,
29
69000
2000
而DNA比對,正是
01:26
one of the hallmarks特點
30
71000
2000
他所發動的這場400年革命
01:28
of the scientific科學 revolution革命
31
73000
2000
所留下最偉大的
01:30
of the last 400 years年份 that he started開始,
32
75000
3000
劃時代特徵印記之一
01:33
was the way we found發現
33
78000
2000
最終也成為,幫我們找到
01:35
which哪一個 set of bones骨頭
34
80000
2000
他本人骸骨的關鍵
01:37
actually其實 belonged屬於 to the person
35
82000
2000
從他讀過的天文學書籍中
01:39
who read all those astronomical天文 books圖書
36
84000
3000
所遺留的頭髮
01:42
which哪一個 were filled填充 with leftover hair頭髮
37
87000
2000
比對過DNA後
01:44
that was Copernicus'哥白尼“ hair頭髮 --
38
89000
2000
我們在一堆骸骨中確認哪些屬哥白尼所有
01:46
obviously明顯 not many許多 other people
39
91000
2000
而不可能是其他人
01:48
bothered困擾 to read these books圖書 later後來 on.
40
93000
2000
畢竟在他之後,舊的天文學書也無人再看
01:50
That match比賽 was unambiguous明確的.
41
95000
2000
鑑定結果,很明確是吻合
01:52
The DNA脫氧核糖核酸 matched匹配,
42
97000
2000
DNA比對
01:54
and we know that this was indeed確實
43
99000
2000
使我們確實知道
01:56
Nicolaus尼古拉斯 Copernicus哥白尼.
44
101000
2000
哪些骨頭是屬於尼古拉哥白尼本人所有
01:58
Now, the connection連接 between之間
45
103000
2000
不過,生物學和DNA
02:00
biology生物學 and DNA脫氧核糖核酸
46
105000
2000
及生命之間有關連性
02:02
and life
47
107000
2000
並且
02:04
is very tantalizing誘人 when you talk about Copernicus哥白尼
48
109000
2000
和哥白尼有所相關是怎麼回事呢?
02:06
because, even back then,
49
111000
2000
我們知道,即便是在哥白尼時代
02:08
his followers追隨者
50
113000
2000
他的跟隨者也已經知道
02:10
very quickly很快 made製作 the logical合乎邏輯 step
51
115000
2000
下一步邏輯推論必然是
02:12
to ask: if the Earth地球 is just a planet行星,
52
117000
3000
「如果,地球只是繞行太陽的行星
02:15
then what about planets行星 around other stars明星?
53
120000
3000
那麼其他繞行其他恆星的行星在哪裡呢?」
02:18
What about the idea理念 of the plurality複數 of the worlds世界,
54
123000
2000
「世界」這個概念,從此成為複數而非單數嗎?
02:20
about life on other planets行星?
55
125000
2000
還有,在其他那些星球上的生命是什麼樣的呢?
02:22
In fact事實, I'm borrowing借款 here from one of those
56
127000
2000
我在這裡所借用的當時看法
02:24
very popular流行 books圖書 of the time.
57
129000
2000
都參考自哥白尼時相當受歡迎的一本書
02:26
And at the time,
58
131000
2000
當時的人們
02:28
people actually其實 answered回答 that question
59
133000
2000
對於這個問題的答案
02:30
positively積極: "Yes."
60
135000
2000
肯定的回答了:「是」
02:32
But there was no evidence證據.
61
137000
3000
但沒有任何證據
02:35
And here begins開始 400 years年份
62
140000
3000
接下來的400年
02:38
of frustration挫折, of unfulfilled未了 dreams --
63
143000
3000
人類仍因苦無證據而深感挫折
02:41
the dreams of Galileo伽利略, Giordano佐丹奴 Bruno布魯諾,
64
146000
3000
這伽利略、布魯諾和其他人
02:44
many許多 others其他 --
65
149000
2000
空有偉大的理想
02:46
which哪一個 never led to the answer回答
66
151000
2000
卻對人類最基本的問題
02:48
of those very basic基本 questions問題
67
153000
2000
無從回答
02:50
which哪一個 humanity人性 has asked all the time.
68
155000
2000
人類向來不停的追問
02:52
"What is life? What is the origin起源 of life?
69
157000
2000
生命是什麼?生命從何而來?
02:54
Are we alone單獨?"
70
159000
2000
人類是唯一而孤單的嗎?
02:56
And that especially特別 happened發生 in the last 10 years年份,
71
161000
3000
尤其來到20世紀末
02:59
at the end結束 of the 20th century世紀,
72
164000
2000
的最後10年
03:01
when the beautiful美麗 developments發展
73
166000
2000
分子生物學
03:03
due應有 to molecular分子 biology生物學,
74
168000
2000
有了璀璨的發現
03:05
understanding理解 the code of life, DNA脫氧核糖核酸,
75
170000
2000
使我們了解生命的密碼、DNA
03:07
all of that seemed似乎 to actually其實
76
172000
2000
所有這些發現非但
03:09
put us, not closer接近,
77
174000
2000
未能使人類更靠近答案
03:11
but further進一步 apart距離 from answering回答
78
176000
2000
反而更進一步將我們推離
03:13
those basic基本 questions問題.
79
178000
2000
距離這些基本答案越來越遠
03:16
Now, the good news新聞.
80
181000
2000
然後,好消息開始
03:18
A lot has happened發生 in the last few少數 years年份,
81
183000
2000
集中在去年當中相繼出現
03:20
and let's start開始 with the planets行星.
82
185000
2000
我們從行星開始講起
03:22
Let's start開始 with the old Copernican哥白尼 question:
83
187000
3000
從哥白尼所問的問題
03:25
Are there earths稀土 around other stars明星?
84
190000
3000
是否有行星繞行其他恆星?
03:28
And as we already已經 heard聽說,
85
193000
2000
我們都知道
03:30
there is a way in which哪一個
86
195000
2000
有一種方式
03:32
we are trying, and now able能夠,
87
197000
2000
正在嘗試
03:34
to answer回答 that question.
88
199000
2000
回答這個問題
03:36
It's a new telescope望遠鏡.
89
201000
2000
一架新的望遠鏡
03:38
Our team球隊, befittinglybefittingly I think,
90
203000
2000
我們恰如其分的
03:40
named命名 it after one of those dreamers夢想家
91
205000
2000
依一位哥白尼時代的夢想家
03:42
of the Copernican哥白尼 time,
92
207000
2000
為它命名
03:44
Johannes約翰內斯 Kepler開普勒,
93
209000
2000
(約翰尼斯)「開普勒望遠鏡」
03:46
and that telescope's望遠鏡 sole唯一 purpose目的
94
211000
2000
這座望遠鏡的唯一目的就是
03:48
is to go out,
95
213000
2000
出發,去尋找
03:50
find the planets行星 that orbit軌道
96
215000
2000
銀河系中繞行
03:52
other stars明星 in our galaxy星系,
97
217000
2000
除太陽以外其他恆星的行星
03:54
and tell us how often經常 do planets行星 like our own擁有 Earth地球
98
219000
3000
並捎回信息告訴我們說
03:57
happen發生 to be out there.
99
222000
3000
銀河系裡,還有多少類似地球的行星
04:00
The telescope望遠鏡 is actually其實
100
225000
2000
這座望遠鏡
04:02
built內置 similarly同樣 to
101
227000
2000
和知名的
04:04
the, well-known知名 to you, Hubble哈勃 Space空間 Telescope望遠鏡,
102
229000
2000
哈柏太空望遠鏡很類似
04:06
except it does have an additional額外 lens鏡片 --
103
231000
3000
但它捨棄了哈柏其中一個
04:09
a wide-field寬視場 lens鏡片,
104
234000
2000
寬視角鏡頭
04:11
as you would call it as a photographer攝影師.
105
236000
2000
(或稱為照相機)
04:13
And if, in the next下一個 couple一對 of months個月,
106
238000
2000
接下來幾個月
04:15
you walk步行 out in the early evening晚間
107
240000
2000
入夜後你可走到戶外
04:17
and look straight直行 up
108
242000
2000
抬頭仰望向天
04:19
and place地點 you palm棕櫚 like this,
109
244000
2000
並將你的手掌像這樣舉起
04:21
you will actually其實 be looking at the field領域 of the sky天空
110
246000
3000
那塊天空正是
04:24
where this telescope望遠鏡 is searching搜索 for planets行星
111
249000
3000
這座望遠鏡
04:27
day and night, without any interruption中斷,
112
252000
2000
未來四年將日以繼夜的
04:29
for the next下一個 four years年份.
113
254000
3000
不停的搜索的區域
04:32
The way we do that, actually其實,
114
257000
2000
我們所使用的方式是
04:34
is with a method方法, which哪一個 we call the transit過境 method方法.
115
259000
3000
「凌日法」
04:37
It's actually其實 mini-eclipses迷你日食 that occur發生
116
262000
2000
是迷你級的日蝕現象
04:39
when a planet行星 passes通行證 in front面前 of its star.
117
264000
2000
發生在行星飛越過恆星面前時
04:41
Not all of the planets行星 will be fortuitously偶然 oriented面向
118
266000
3000
不見得所有行星都允許我們有
04:44
for us to be able能夠 do that,
119
269000
2000
如此純屬偶然的機會可以觀察到此現象
04:46
but if you have a million百萬 stars明星,
120
271000
3000
但如果觀測1百萬顆恆星
04:49
you'll你會 find enough足夠 planets行星.
121
274000
2000
以此方式應該也能偵測到不少行星
04:51
And as you see on this animation動畫,
122
276000
3000
雖然在此你可以看到恆星和行星的清晰影像
04:54
what Kepler開普勒 is going to detect檢測
123
279000
2000
但開普勒要偵測的只是
04:56
is just the dimming調光 of the light from the star.
124
281000
3000
來自恆星的光由亮轉暗的現象
04:59
We are not going to see the image圖片 of the star and the planet行星 as this.
125
284000
3000
我們並不是要看看到恆星和行星的清晰影像
05:02
All the stars明星 for Kepler開普勒 are just points of light.
126
287000
3000
所有恆星對開普勒而言都僅只是光點而已
05:05
But we learn學習 a lot from that:
127
290000
2000
但從光點的資料使我們能明白很多
05:07
not only that there is a planet行星 there, but we also learn學習 its size尺寸.
128
292000
3000
不僅只是那裏有一顆行星而已,還有尺寸大小
05:10
How much of the light is being存在 dimmed變暗
129
295000
2000
光變暗的程度高低
05:12
depends依靠 on how big the planet行星 is.
130
297000
3000
取決於行星是大還小
05:15
We learn學習 about its orbit軌道,
131
300000
2000
也能得知它的軌道
05:17
the period of its orbit軌道 and so on.
132
302000
2000
軌道的週期如何等等
05:19
So, what have we learned學到了?
133
304000
3000
所以結論是
05:22
Well, let me try to walk步行 you through通過
134
307000
3000
我接下來解釋我們的研究方法
05:25
what we actually其實 see
135
310000
2000
然後你會明白
05:27
and so you understand理解 the news新聞
136
312000
2000
我最後要分享的新聞
05:29
that I'm here to tell you today今天.
137
314000
2000
那是今天的重點
05:31
What Kepler開普勒 does
138
316000
2000
開普勒望遠鏡所做的事情就是
05:33
is discover發現 a lot of candidates候選人,
139
318000
2000
發現許多行星「候選人」的資料
05:35
which哪一個 we then follow跟隨 up and find as planets行星,
140
320000
2000
追蹤看看它們到底是不是
05:37
confirm確認 as planets行星.
141
322000
2000
行星
05:39
It basically基本上 tells告訴 us
142
324000
2000
基本上他告訴我們
05:41
this is the distribution分配 of planets行星 in size尺寸.
143
326000
3000
行星大小的分佈情形如何
05:44
There are small planets行星, there are bigger planets行星, there are big planets行星, okay.
144
329000
3000
行星有大也有小
05:47
So we count計數 many許多, many許多 such這樣 planets行星,
145
332000
3000
我們可以數一數各種行星
05:50
and they have different不同 sizes大小.
146
335000
2000
大小不同
05:52
We do that in our solar太陽能 system系統.
147
337000
2000
我們先是針對太陽系做這件事情
05:54
In fact事實, even back during the ancients古人,
148
339000
3000
事實上在古代
05:57
the Solar太陽能 System系統 in that sense
149
342000
2000
太陽系的行星數量圖
05:59
would look on a diagram like this.
150
344000
2000
看起來會像是這樣
06:01
There will be the smaller planets行星, and there will be the big planets行星,
151
346000
3000
即便是在伊比鳩魯時代
06:04
even back to the time of Epicurus伊壁鳩魯
152
349000
2000
人們就已知行星是有小,有大的
06:06
and then of course課程 Copernicus哥白尼
153
351000
2000
或哥白尼時期的人
06:08
and his followers追隨者.
154
353000
2000
當然也知道
06:10
Up until直到 recently最近, that was the Solar太陽能 System系統 --
155
355000
2000
稍後有了有太陽系概念
06:12
four Earth-like類似地球 planets行星 with small radius半徑,
156
357000
3000
共有4個類似地球的行星
06:15
smaller than about two times the size尺寸 of the Earth地球 --
157
360000
3000
半徑較小,小於地球兩倍以下的就算小
06:18
and that was of course課程 Mercury,
158
363000
2000
這包括了水星
06:20
Venus金星, Mars火星,
159
365000
2000
金星,火星
06:22
and of course課程 the Earth地球,
160
367000
2000
以及地球本身
06:24
and then the two big, giant巨人 planets行星.
161
369000
2000
以及兩顆巨型行星
06:26
Then the Copernican哥白尼 Revolution革命
162
371000
2000
哥白尼帶來
06:28
brought in telescopes望遠鏡,
163
373000
2000
望遠鏡革命
06:30
and of course課程 three more planets行星 were discovered發現.
164
375000
2000
然後又有兩三個行星被發現
06:32
Now the total planet行星 number
165
377000
2000
當時太陽系行星數量
06:34
in our solar太陽能 system系統 was nine.
166
379000
2000
是9個
06:36
The small planets行星 dominated佔主導地位,
167
381000
2000
大多數以小行星為主
06:38
and there was a certain某些 harmony和諧 to that,
168
383000
2000
哥白尼很開心的注意到
06:40
which哪一個 actually其實 Copernicus哥白尼 was very happy快樂 to note注意,
169
385000
3000
大小比例之間有某種合諧性
06:43
and Kepler開普勒 was one of the big proponents支持者 of.
170
388000
3000
開普勒望遠鏡是這個假設的大力支持者
06:46
So now we have Pluto冥王星 to join加入 the numbers數字 of small planets行星.
171
391000
3000
當時冥王星仍被歸為小行星一類
06:49
But up until直到, literally按照字面, 15 years年份 ago,
172
394000
3000
但直到15年前
06:52
that was all we knew知道 about planets行星.
173
397000
2000
我們對行星的知識僅止於此
06:54
And that's what the frustration挫折 was.
174
399000
2000
哥白尼的夢想
06:56
The Copernican哥白尼 dream夢想 was unfulfilled未了.
175
401000
3000
仍然沒能實現
06:59
Finally最後, 15 years年份 ago,
176
404000
2000
15年前,我們的技術
07:01
the technology技術 came來了 to the point
177
406000
2000
終於達到一個程度
07:03
where we could discover發現 a planet行星 around another另一個 star,
178
408000
3000
能夠發現一個行星圍繞另一顆恆星
07:06
and we actually其實 did pretty漂亮 well.
179
411000
3000
一切進行的相當不錯
07:09
In the next下一個 15 years年份,
180
414000
2000
15年來,透過各種不同方法發現
07:11
almost幾乎 500 planets行星
181
416000
2000
一共將近500個行星
07:13
were discovered發現 orbiting軌道 other stars明星, with different不同 methods方法.
182
418000
3000
這些行星環繞其他恆星
07:16
Unfortunately不幸, as you can see,
183
421000
3000
不過,從這邊你會發現到
07:19
there was a very different不同 picture圖片.
184
424000
2000
這個景象和我們所期待的非常不同
07:21
There was of course課程 an explanation說明 for it:
185
426000
2000
我們只看到大的行星
07:23
We only see the big planets行星,
186
428000
2000
這現象背後,當然有可解釋的原因
07:25
so that's why most of those planets行星
187
430000
2000
但,總之,大部分我們觀測到的行星
07:27
are really in the category類別 of "like Jupiter木星."
188
432000
3000
都歸在類木星這一類
07:30
But you see, we haven't沒有 gone走了 very far.
189
435000
3000
無論如何其實我們仍在原地踏步
07:33
We were still back where Copernicus哥白尼 was.
190
438000
3000
離哥白尼時期已經400年,進展卻不多
07:36
We didn't have any evidence證據
191
441000
2000
我們仍然沒有證據可以顯示
07:38
whether是否 planets行星 like the Earth地球 are out there.
192
443000
2000
像地球一樣的行星確實存在
07:40
And we do care關心 about planets行星 like the Earth地球
193
445000
3000
這件事對我們很重要,因為
07:43
because by now we understood了解
194
448000
2000
現在我們所明白的是,生命
07:45
that life as a chemical化學 system系統
195
450000
3000
有如一個化學體系般
07:48
really needs需求 a smaller planet行星
196
453000
2000
它需要比較小的行星
07:50
with water and with rocks岩石
197
455000
2000
有水有土壤岩石
07:52
and with a lot of complex複雜 chemistry化學
198
457000
2000
以及一些相當複雜的化學
07:54
to originate起源, to emerge出現, to survive生存.
199
459000
3000
然後生命得以起源,出現,生存
07:57
And we didn't have the evidence證據 for that.
200
462000
3000
但我們獨缺證據
08:00
So today今天, I'm here to actually其實 give you a first glimpse一瞥
201
465000
2000
今天我在這裡要向各位說明的就是
08:02
of what the new telescope望遠鏡, Kepler開普勒,
202
467000
3000
最新的開普勒望遠鏡
08:05
has been able能夠 to tell us in the last few少數 weeks,
203
470000
3000
在過去幾週當中的新發現
08:08
and, lo and behold不料,
204
473000
2000
非常令人驚訝的,你將看到
08:10
we are back to the harmony和諧
205
475000
2000
我們回到了哥白尼所夢想的
08:12
and to fulfilling履行 the dreams of Copernicus哥白尼.
206
477000
3000
大小行星,呈現
08:15
You can see here,
207
480000
2000
均勻分佈狀態
08:17
the small planets行星 dominate支配 the picture圖片.
208
482000
2000
小行星佔多數
08:19
The planets行星 which哪一個 are marked "like Earth地球,"
209
484000
3000
標示為「類地球」的行星
08:22
[are] definitely無疑 more than
210
487000
2000
比其他任何一類
08:24
any other planets行星 that we see.
211
489000
2000
的行星都多
08:26
And now for the first time, we can say that.
212
491000
2000
這是第一次我們可肯定的說
08:28
There is a lot more work we need to do with this.
213
493000
3000
關於這些結果還有很多後續工作要做
08:31
Most of these are candidates候選人.
214
496000
2000
這些大部分只是符合初步條件的候選人
08:33
In the next下一個 few少數 years年份 we will confirm確認 them.
215
498000
2000
還需要幾年才能確認結果
08:35
But the statistical統計 result結果
216
500000
2000
但統計結果
08:37
is loud and clear明確.
217
502000
2000
會大聲而很清楚的說話
08:39
And the statistical統計 result結果 is that
218
504000
3000
統計數字說明
08:42
planets行星 like our own擁有 Earth地球
219
507000
2000
類似地球的行星
08:44
are out there.
220
509000
2000
有滿多的
08:46
Our own擁有 Milky乳白色 Way Galaxy星系 is rich豐富 in this kind of planets行星.
221
511000
3000
我們銀河系就有很多
08:49
So the question is: what do we do next下一個?
222
514000
3000
問題是:下一步又如何?
08:52
Well, first of all, we can study研究 them
223
517000
2000
第一步我們先研究
08:54
now that we know where they are.
224
519000
3000
已知它們所在的位置
08:57
And we can find those that we would call habitable可居住,
225
522000
3000
得知它是否符合可居住的條件
09:00
meaning含義 that they have similar類似 conditions條件
226
525000
2000
也就是,它的條件
09:02
to the conditions條件
227
527000
2000
和我們在地球上生活
09:04
that we experience經驗 here on Earth地球
228
529000
3000
所體驗的條件相類似?
09:07
and where a lot of complex複雜 chemistry化學 can happen發生.
229
532000
3000
因為一些複雜的化學在特定條件下才可以發生
09:10
So, we can even put a number
230
535000
3000
我們可以推測
09:13
to how many許多 of those planets行星
231
538000
2000
這樣的行星
09:15
now do we expect期望 our own擁有
232
540000
2000
在銀河系裡有多少
09:17
Milky乳白色 Way Galaxy星系 harbors港口.
233
542000
2000
而這個答案是
09:19
And the number, as you might威力 expect期望,
234
544000
2000
您或許已經猜的出來
09:21
is pretty漂亮 staggering踉蹌.
235
546000
2000
是頗為驚人的:
09:23
It's about 100 million百萬 such這樣 planets行星.
236
548000
3000
大約有一億顆!
09:26
That's great news新聞. Why?
237
551000
2000
這是大好的消息,不是嗎?
09:28
Because with our own擁有 little telescope望遠鏡,
238
553000
2000
運用這樣小小的望遠鏡
09:30
just in the next下一個 two years年份,
239
555000
2000
短短兩年的觀測
09:32
we'll be able能夠 to identify鑑定 at least最小 60 of them.
240
557000
3000
就發現了60個初步符合條件的行星
09:35
So that's great because then
241
560000
2000
這當然是好消息
09:37
we can go and study研究 them --
242
562000
2000
因為我們會繼續
09:39
remotely遠程, of course課程 --
243
564000
2000
當然是,用遠距的方式
09:41
with all the techniques技術 that we already已經 have
244
566000
2000
用一些現有的技術
09:43
tested測試 in the past過去 five years年份.
245
568000
2000
在過去五年中已經測試過的
09:45
We can find what they're made製作 of,
246
570000
2000
可以了解它的組成成分
09:47
would their atmospheres氣氛 have water, carbon dioxide二氧化碳, methane甲烷.
247
572000
3000
大氣層有無水份,二氧化碳,甲烷
09:50
We know and expect期望 that we'll see that.
248
575000
3000
經由了解然後,期待能看見
09:54
That's great, but that is not the whole整個 news新聞.
249
579000
3000
這聽起來很棒,但他還不算是全部
09:57
That's not why I'm here.
250
582000
3000
這還不是今天所要講的重點
10:00
Why I'm here is to tell you that the next下一個 step
251
585000
3000
今天要談的是我們的下一步
10:03
is really the exciting扣人心弦 part部分.
252
588000
3000
是真正令人振奮的好消息
10:06
The one that this step
253
591000
2000
這下一步
10:08
is enabling啟用 us to do is coming未來 next下一個.
254
593000
3000
能帶領我們預備好迎接更後面將來的
10:11
And here comes biology生物學 --
255
596000
2000
那就是生物
10:13
biology生物學, with its basic基本 question,
256
598000
3000
在生物學領域,還有基本問題
10:16
which哪一個 still stands站立 unanswered懸而未決,
257
601000
2000
仍然未獲解答
10:18
which哪一個 is essentially實質上:
258
603000
2000
而那就是
10:20
"If there is life on other planets行星,
259
605000
2000
「如果其他星球上是有生命的話
10:22
do we expect期望 it to be like life on Earth地球?"
260
607000
3000
我們是否認為它會和地球生物一樣?」
10:25
And let me immediately立即 tell you here,
261
610000
2000
我想先表達一件事
10:27
when I say life, I don't mean "dolceDOLCE vita個人簡歷,"
262
612000
2000
這裡所說「生命」,並非
10:29
good life, human人的 life.
263
614000
2000
等同於「快樂生活著」這種人類的生命
10:31
I really mean life
264
616000
3000
我所指的生命是:
10:34
on Earth地球, past過去 and present當下,
265
619000
2000
過去,現在和未來在地球上
10:36
from microbes微生物 to us humans人類,
266
621000
2000
從微生物到人類
10:38
in its rich豐富 molecular分子 diversity多樣,
267
623000
3000
具有豐富的分子多樣性
10:41
the way we now understand理解 life on Earth地球
268
626000
3000
以我們現在所明白的在地球上的生命形式
10:44
as being存在 a set of molecules分子 and chemical化學 reactions反應 --
269
629000
3000
有著成組的分子和彼此化學反應
10:47
and we call that, collectively, biochemistry生物化學,
270
632000
3000
我們統稱為,生物化學
10:50
life as a chemical化學 process處理,
271
635000
3000
生命是一個化學過程
10:53
as a chemical化學 phenomenon現象.
272
638000
2000
是一個化學上的現象
10:55
So the question is:
273
640000
2000
所以問題是
10:57
is that chemical化學 phenomenon現象 universal普遍,
274
642000
3000
這樣的化學現象是否具有普及全宇宙皆準的一致性?
11:00
or is it something
275
645000
2000
抑或是
11:02
which哪一個 depends依靠 on the planet行星?
276
647000
2000
它將因個別星球而異?
11:04
Is it like gravity重力,
277
649000
2000
它會像重力原理一樣
11:06
which哪一個 is the same相同 everywhere到處 in the universe宇宙,
278
651000
2000
在宇宙中任何一處都適用?
11:08
or there would be all kinds of different不同 biochemistries生物化學性質
279
653000
3000
還是宇宙間充滿形形色色,大異其趣的許多生物化學
11:11
wherever哪裡 we find them?
280
656000
2000
各隨其所在環境而變異?
11:13
We need to know what we are looking for
281
658000
3000
在我們嘗試新探索以前
11:16
when we try to do that.
282
661000
2000
必須先知道我們想要找的是什麼
11:18
And that's a very basic基本 question, which哪一個 we don't know the answer回答 to,
283
663000
3000
那是非常基礎,而我們不知道其答案為何的問題
11:21
but which哪一個 we can try --
284
666000
2000
但可以嘗試
11:23
and we are trying -- to answer回答 in the lab實驗室.
285
668000
2000
可以先在實驗室裡嘗試
11:25
We don't need to go to space空間
286
670000
2000
不需要在太空中嘗試
11:27
to answer回答 that question.
287
672000
2000
有些問題是可以先取得答案的
11:29
And so, that's what we are trying to do.
288
674000
2000
那就是我們所在做的試驗
11:31
And that's what many許多 people now are trying to do.
289
676000
3000
也是許多人正在努力嘗試的
11:34
And a lot of the good news新聞 comes from that part部分 of the bridge
290
679000
3000
這像是一座通往某處的橋樑
11:37
that we are trying to build建立 as well.
291
682000
3000
在一邊造橋的過程,我們已經聽見有些好消息傳來
11:40
So this is one example
292
685000
2000
這裡有一個例子
11:42
that I want to show顯示 you here.
293
687000
2000
我想和各位分享
11:44
When we think of what is necessary必要
294
689000
2000
我們一向以為
11:46
for the phenomenon現象 that we call life,
295
691000
3000
要起始生命這種奇妙的現象
11:49
we think of compartmentalization劃分,
296
694000
3000
分室作用是必須的
11:52
keeping保持 the molecules分子 which哪一個 are important重要 for life
297
697000
3000
它會把對生命而言,有重要性的分子
11:55
in a membrane,
298
700000
2000
個別包裹在膜裡面
11:57
isolated孤立 from the rest休息 of the environment環境,
299
702000
2000
使它與週遭環境隔絕開來
11:59
but yet然而, in an environment環境 in which哪一個
300
704000
2000
但我們發現,在一個環境中
12:01
they actually其實 could originate起源 together一起.
301
706000
3000
這些分子事實上可以一起共同產生
12:04
And in one of our labs實驗室,
302
709000
2000
這是由我們的一個實驗室
12:06
Jack插口 Szostak's紹斯塔克的 labs實驗室,
303
711000
2000
傑克史塔克實驗室
12:08
it was a series系列 of experiments實驗
304
713000
2000
過去四年
12:10
in the last four years年份
305
715000
2000
進行一系列的實驗中所得到的發現
12:12
that showed顯示 that the environments環境 --
306
717000
2000
有些和地球環境
12:14
which哪一個 are very common共同 on planets行星,
307
719000
2000
條件相類似的行星
12:16
on certain某些 types類型 of planets行星 like the Earth地球,
308
721000
3000
在那裡
12:19
where you have some liquid液體 water and some clays粘土 --
309
724000
3000
有些水,和土壤
12:22
you actually其實 end結束 up with
310
727000
3000
然後
12:25
naturally自然 available可得到 molecules分子
311
730000
2000
很自然的有些分子出現
12:27
which哪一個 spontaneously自發 form形成 bubbles泡泡.
312
732000
3000
自發性的形成了泡沫
12:30
But those bubbles泡泡 have membranes
313
735000
3000
這些泡沫所具有的膜
12:33
very similar類似 to the membrane of every一切 cell細胞
314
738000
3000
和每一個地球生物所具有的
12:36
of every一切 living活的 thing on Earth地球 looks容貌 like,
315
741000
3000
細胞的膜是非常類似
12:39
like this.
316
744000
2000
像這樣
12:41
And they really help molecules分子,
317
746000
2000
這對於分子形成
12:43
like nucleic核酸 acids, like RNARNA and DNA脫氧核糖核酸,
318
748000
3000
對核酸,核糖核酸和DNA
12:46
stay inside, develop發展,
319
751000
2000
在其中發展
12:48
change更改, divide劃分
320
753000
2000
變化,分裂
12:50
and do some of the processes流程 that we call life.
321
755000
3000
以及進行一些我們稱為生命的過程都很有幫助
12:53
Now this is just an example
322
758000
2000
這是其中一個例子
12:55
to tell you the pathway
323
760000
2000
用來說明我們前進所採取途徑
12:57
in which哪一個 we are trying to answer回答
324
762000
2000
是我們用來宏觀回答
12:59
that bigger question about the universality普遍性 of the phenomenon現象.
325
764000
3000
生命現象具有什麼普遍原則的途徑之一
13:03
And in a sense, you can think of that work
326
768000
3000
某種程度上,你可以將目前
13:06
that people are starting開始 to do now around the world世界
327
771000
2000
世界各地人們為此所進行的這些相關工作
13:08
as building建造 a bridge,
328
773000
2000
比喻成搭建一座橋樑
13:10
building建造 a bridge from two sides雙方 of the river.
329
775000
3000
彼此各從河的兩岸搭一座橋
13:13
On one hand, on the left bank銀行 of the river,
330
778000
3000
一方,在左岸
13:16
are the people like me who study研究 those planets行星
331
781000
3000
有些研究行星的人,如我
13:19
and try to define確定 the environments環境.
332
784000
2000
試著定義生命合適的環境為何
13:21
We don't want to go blind because there's too many許多 possibilities可能性,
333
786000
3000
可能性太多,我們不能盲目以赴
13:24
and there is not too much lab實驗室,
334
789000
3000
實驗室的資源
13:27
and there is not enough足夠 human人的 time
335
792000
2000
人力時間
13:29
to actually其實 to do all the experiments實驗.
336
794000
2000
都不允許我們一一完成所有實驗
13:31
So that's what we are building建造 from the left side of the river.
337
796000
3000
這就是左岸的工作人員在努力嘗試的部份
13:34
From the right bank銀行 of the river
338
799000
2000
從右岸
13:36
are the experiments實驗 in the lab實驗室 that I just showed顯示 you,
339
801000
3000
有我剛剛展現給各位看的那種實驗正在進行
13:39
where we actually其實 tried試著 that, and it feeds供稿 back and forth向前,
340
804000
3000
我們可以試圖看這樣來回互通有無
13:42
and we hope希望 to meet遇到 in the middle中間 one day.
341
807000
3000
希望有一天能在中間點相會
13:45
So why should you care關心 about that?
342
810000
3000
但是,請問你為什麼要聽我
13:48
Why am I trying to sell you
343
813000
2000
對你兜售一個才建了一半
13:50
a half-built建了一半的 bridge?
344
815000
2000
一半都還不到的橋?
13:52
Am I that charming迷人?
345
817000
3000
靠我的帥氣魅力嗎?
13:55
Well, there are many許多 reasons原因,
346
820000
2000
原因有很多
13:57
and you heard聽說 some of them
347
822000
2000
今天的短講中
13:59
in the short talk today今天.
348
824000
2000
有一部分原因你已經聽過了
14:01
This understanding理解 of chemistry化學
349
826000
2000
對化學的更多了解
14:03
actually其實 can help us
350
828000
2000
事實上不僅在日常生活上
14:05
with our daily日常 lives生活.
351
830000
2000
能幫助我們
14:07
But there is something more profound深刻 here,
352
832000
2000
它其實是有更豐富
14:09
something deeper更深.
353
834000
2000
更深層的意義
14:11
And that deeper更深, underlying底層 point
354
836000
3000
這更深層的基本論點是在於:
14:15
is that science科學
355
840000
2000
科學
14:17
is in the process處理 of redefining重新定義 life
356
842000
3000
就是將已知的生命定義
14:20
as we know it.
357
845000
2000
重新定義的一個過程
14:22
And that is going to change更改
358
847000
2000
這將極大的改變我們的
14:24
our worldview世界觀 in a profound深刻 way --
359
849000
3000
世界觀
14:27
not in a dissimilar相異 way
360
852000
2000
與400年前的世界觀
14:29
as 400 years年份 ago,
361
854000
2000
真正有所不同
14:31
Copernicus'哥白尼“ act法案 did,
362
856000
2000
哥白尼的革命
14:33
by changing改變 the way
363
858000
2000
改變了我們
14:35
we view視圖 space空間 and time.
364
860000
2000
看待時間和空間的觀點
14:37
Now it's about something else其他,
365
862000
2000
現在這個新革命,重點雖不同
14:39
but it's equally一樣 profound深刻.
366
864000
2000
但意涵很豐富是無庸置疑的
14:41
And half the time,
367
866000
2000
一半
14:43
what's happened發生
368
868000
2000
是關於
14:45
is it's related有關 this kind of
369
870000
2000
人類的
14:47
sense of insignificance渺小
370
872000
2000
渺小
14:49
to humankind人類,
371
874000
2000
小地球和大宇宙
14:51
to the Earth地球 in a bigger space空間.
372
876000
2000
無可比擬的微不足道
14:53
And the more we learn學習,
373
878000
3000
所知越多
14:56
the more that was reinforced加強.
374
881000
3000
渺小感越發強烈
14:59
You've all learned學到了 that in school學校 --
375
884000
2000
學校老師都敎過我們
15:01
how small the Earth地球 is
376
886000
2000
和無垠的宇宙相比
15:03
compared相比 to the immense巨大 universe宇宙.
377
888000
2000
地球有多麼渺小
15:05
And the bigger the telescope望遠鏡,
378
890000
2000
而望遠鏡越大
15:07
the bigger that universe宇宙 becomes.
379
892000
2000
宇宙就更大
15:09
And look at this image圖片 of the tiny, blue藍色 dot.
380
894000
3000
你看這顆小藍點的影像
15:12
This pixel像素 is the Earth地球.
381
897000
2000
這一粒畫素就是地球
15:14
It is the Earth地球 as we know it.
382
899000
2000
就是我們所熟悉認識的地球
15:16
It is seen看到 from, in this case案件,
383
901000
2000
這張圖是由土星軌道以外的拍攝點
15:18
from outside the orbit軌道 of Saturn土星.
384
903000
3000
看見的地球
15:21
But it's really tiny.
385
906000
2000
真的很渺小
15:23
We know that.
386
908000
2000
這是我們所清楚知道的
15:25
Let's think of life as that entire整個 planet行星
387
910000
2000
且若我們把生命當作是這整顆星球
15:27
because, in a sense, it is.
388
912000
2000
因為就某種意義而言,它確實就是如此
15:29
The biosphere生物圈 is the size尺寸 of the Earth地球.
389
914000
2000
地球多大,生物圈就是多大
15:31
Life on Earth地球
390
916000
2000
並且地球上的生命
15:33
is the size尺寸 of the Earth地球.
391
918000
2000
大小不超過地球本身
15:35
And let's compare比較 it to the rest休息 of the world世界
392
920000
3000
倘若我們將它和世界相比較
15:38
in spatial空間的 terms條款.
393
923000
2000
與「宇宙規模」的世界相比
15:40
What if that
394
925000
2000
如果像這樣的,哥白尼所引領
15:42
Copernican哥白尼 insignificance渺小
395
927000
3000
我們去感受到的渺小感
15:45
was actually其實 all wrong錯誤?
396
930000
2000
竟然其實全是錯誤的話,會如何呢?
15:47
Would that make us more responsible主管
397
932000
2000
是否,我們對於今天
15:49
for what is happening事件 today今天?
398
934000
2000
會更負責一點?
15:51
Let's actually其實 try that.
399
936000
2000
如果會的話,我們何不嘗試看看?
15:53
So in space空間, the Earth地球 is very small.
400
938000
3000
看到在太空中,地球真的很小
15:56
Can you imagine想像 how small it is?
401
941000
2000
能想像的到嗎?
15:58
Let me try it.
402
943000
2000
我來試試看
16:00
Okay, let's say
403
945000
2000
這是
16:02
this is the size尺寸
404
947000
2000
我們觀測到的
16:04
of the observable可觀察 universe宇宙,
405
949000
2000
宇宙的大小長度
16:06
with all the galaxies星系,
406
951000
2000
包括所有星系
16:08
with all the stars明星,
407
953000
2000
所有恆星
16:10
okay, from here to here.
408
955000
2000
從這裡到這裡
16:12
Do you know what the size尺寸 of life
409
957000
2000
你知道生命的體積長度
16:14
in this necktie領帶 will be?
410
959000
3000
在這條領帶上佔多少比例嗎?
16:17
It will be the size尺寸
411
962000
3000
它將會是
16:20
of a single, small atom原子.
412
965000
2000
單一一顆原子的大小
16:22
It is unimaginably超乎想像 small.
413
967000
2000
無法想像的微小
16:24
We can't imagine想像 it.
414
969000
2000
幾乎無法想像的程度
16:26
I mean look, you can see the necktie領帶,
415
971000
2000
你看的見整條領帶
16:28
but you can't even imagine想像 seeing眼看
416
973000
2000
但你怎能想像看的見
16:30
the size尺寸 of a little, small atom原子.
417
975000
3000
其中一顆原子呢?
16:33
But that's not the whole整個 story故事, you see.
418
978000
3000
但故事的全貌不止如此
16:36
The universe宇宙 and life
419
981000
2000
宇宙和生命
16:38
are both in space空間 and time.
420
983000
3000
同樣存在於空間,以及「時間」中
16:41
If that was
421
986000
3000
如果宇宙的時間
16:44
the age年齡 of the universe宇宙,
422
989000
2000
長度像這樣
16:46
then this is the age年齡 of life on Earth地球.
423
991000
3000
這是地球的生命
16:50
Think about those oldest最老的 living活的 things on Earth地球,
424
995000
3000
你可以想像地球上最古老的生命
16:53
but in a cosmic宇宙的 proportion比例.
425
998000
2000
有著遍及全宇宙的蹤跡
16:55
This is not insignificant微不足道.
426
1000000
3000
這就不再渺小了
16:58
This is very significant重大.
427
1003000
2000
這是非常有意義且重要
17:00
So life might威力 be insignificant微不足道 in size尺寸,
428
1005000
3000
從大小來看,生命或許渺小微不足道
17:03
but it is not insignificant微不足道 in time.
429
1008000
3000
而從時間來看,意義卻大不相同
17:07
Life and the universe宇宙
430
1012000
2000
生命和宇宙
17:09
compare比較 to each other like a child兒童 and a parent,
431
1014000
3000
像一個孩子和父母親相比
17:12
parent and offspring子孫.
432
1017000
2000
父母和他所生的後代
17:14
So what does this tell us?
433
1019000
2000
這對我們有什麼意義?
17:16
This tells告訴 us that
434
1021000
2000
它的意義是
17:18
that insignificance渺小 paradigm範例
435
1023000
2000
從哥白尼時代開始灌輸我們
17:20
that we somehow不知何故 got to learn學習
436
1025000
2000
這種「渺小感」的示範演譯
17:22
from the Copernican哥白尼 principle原理,
437
1027000
2000
這樣的既有模型
17:24
it's all wrong錯誤.
438
1029000
2000
其實,全是錯誤的!
17:26
There is immense巨大, powerful強大 potential潛在
439
1031000
3000
宇宙中的生命不僅是大有潛能
17:29
in life in this universe宇宙 --
440
1034000
2000
並且沒有止盡,強而有力
17:31
especially特別 now that we know
441
1036000
2000
尤其是現在我們已能肯定
17:33
that places地方 like the Earth地球 are common共同.
442
1038000
3000
宇宙中,還有許多環境和地球類似的星球
17:37
And that potential潛在, that powerful強大 potential潛在,
443
1042000
3000
因而,在那些地方,生命的潛在可能
17:40
is also our potential潛在,
444
1045000
2000
是大有可為的存在著可能性
17:42
of you and me.
445
1047000
2000
這些全都是你的,和我的未來無限可能
17:44
And if we are to be stewards管家
446
1049000
2000
如果我們要當
17:46
of our planet行星 Earth地球
447
1051000
2000
地球的管理者
17:48
and its biosphere生物圈,
448
1053000
2000
在地球的生物圈中扮演好管理者的角色
17:50
we'd星期三 better understand理解
449
1055000
2000
我們最好明白
17:52
the cosmic宇宙的 significance意義
450
1057000
2000
如此廣及全宇宙的重大意義
17:54
and do something about it.
451
1059000
2000
並且急起努力直追
17:56
And the good news新聞 is we can
452
1061000
2000
而好消息正是,這是我們能夠做的
17:58
actually其實, indeed確實 do it.
453
1063000
2000
我們真的能夠做得到
18:00
And let's do it.
454
1065000
2000
所以,我們出發吧
18:02
Let's start開始 this new revolution革命
455
1067000
2000
讓我們展開另一個革命
18:04
at the tail尾巴 end結束 of the old one,
456
1069000
3000
此刻正是舊的革命將近尾聲
18:07
with synthetic合成的 biology生物學 being存在
457
1072000
2000
而合成生物學又即將
18:09
the way to transform轉變
458
1074000
2000
開始轉化我們的
18:11
both our environment環境
459
1076000
2000
環境和
18:13
and our future未來.
460
1078000
2000
未來的此刻
18:15
And let's hope希望 that we can build建立 this bridge together一起
461
1080000
2000
我們可以滿懷期待
18:17
and meet遇到 in the middle中間.
462
1082000
2000
我們會將兩岸的橋搭起,並且期待彼此相連
18:19
Thank you very much.
463
1084000
2000
謝謝大家
18:21
(Applause掌聲)
464
1086000
3000
(掌聲)
Translated by Lauren Huang
Reviewed by Lin Su-Wei()

▲Back to top

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dimitar Sasselov - Astronomer
Dimitar Sasselov works on uniting the physical and life sciences in the hunt for answers to the question of how life began.

Why you should listen

Dimitar Sasselov is an astronomer who explores the interaction between light and matter. He studies, among other things, extrasolar planets, and he's a co-investigator on NASA's Kepler mission, which is monitoring 100,000 stars in a three-year hunt for exoplanets -- including Jupiter-sized giants. Sasselov watches for exoplanets by looking for transits, the act of a planet passing across the face of its star, dimming its light and changing its chemical signature. This simple, elegant way of searching has led to a bounty of newly discovered planets.

Sasselov is the director of Harvard's Origins of Life Initiative, a new interdisciplinary institute that joins biologists, chemists and astronomers in searching for the starting points of life on Earth (and possibly elsewhere). What is an astronomer doing looking for the origins of life, a question more often asked by biologists? Sasselov suggests that planetary conditions are the seedbed of life; knowing the composition and conditions of a planet will give us clues, perhaps, as to how life might form there. And as we discover new planets that might host life, having a working definition of life will help us screen for possible new forms of it. Other institute members such as biologist George Church and chemist George Whitesides work on the question from other angles, looking for (and building) alternative biologies that might fit conditions elsewhere in the universe.

More profile about the speaker
Dimitar Sasselov | Speaker | TED.com