Extra Terrestrials exist, says Savilian Professor

Professor Joseph Silk, the newly appointed Savilian Professor of Astronomy, presented his inaugural lecture, `The Infinite Universe', on 29 November at the Examination Schools. During his lecture Professor Silk reviewed the big bang theory, and its reincarnation under the guise of inflationary cosmology. Professor Silk (pictured left) explained that inflationary cosmology predicts that the Universe should be extremely large, and described the astronomical evidence that has led to confirmation of this theory. Inflation also provides a description of `seed inhomogenites', the matter from which all structures in the Universe arise. The challenge of determining how and when the great structures in the Universe were formed are questions which are being confronted by cosmologists, both through the use of very large telescopes to reach back in space and time, and fast computers to simulate galactic evolution. In conclusion Professor Silk tackled the question of whether the laws of physics forbid time travel, arguing that, if mastery of wormhole technology is feasible, space should be teaming with extra-terrestrial life forms (ETs). Considering the possibility of future communication with ETs, he said: `in a Universe 15 million years old whatever can happen has already happened somewhere long ago. ETs may well have already developed technologies that we presently deem scientifically impossible.'