19 Mar 2023

Ray Jayawardhana: The Quest for Life Beyond Earth

From Sunday Morning, 10:38 am on 19 March 2023
A portrait photo of professor Ray Jayawardhana

Professor Ray Jayawardhana has spent his career searching for habitable planets and life outside of our Solar System. Photo: Chris Kitchen Photography

A prolific researcher, Professor Ray Jayawardhana investigates the diversity and origins of planets and the prospects for life in the universe, using the world's largest telescopes. 

His discoveries have garnered widespread attention and numerous accolades. 

He speaks to Anna about where his fascination with the Universe began and how close are we to finding life beyond Earth? 

Illustration of the view from the innermost of the two exoplanets orbiting Gliese 667 C (largest star, a red dwarf) in the Gliese 667 system.

Illustration of the view from the innermost of the two exoplanets orbiting Gliese 667 C (largest star, a red dwarf) in the Gliese 667 system. Photo: AFP or licensors