When our ancient ancestors looked up and around, no doubt they asked themselves: What exactly is our place in this vast universe? Are we central to it?  Do we matter? 

In this fascinating program, renowned astrophysicist and author Mario Livio discusses how modern science and cutting-edge discoveries have completely changed the answers to these questions.

During this grand tour of the cosmos, Livio explains how the Copernican Principle—which had its origins in the l6th century—rejected the long-held belief that humans occupied a special place at the center of the universe. He combines this humbling concept with a discussion of the most recent scientific discoveries in areas ranging from the largest scales in cosmology through the study of extrasolar planets to the subatomic world of particle physics.

It appears that we humans have had a central role to play, after all. 

Livio is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has published more than 500 scientific articles and seven popular science books.

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