Catholic Astronomer Karin Öberg: Signs of Life in Distant Worlds

Brad Cooper with Karin Öberg

Harvard astrochemist Karin Öberg explains how scientists study the chemistry of forming planets and the conditions that might support life, then reflects on wonder, uncertainty, and her journey from agnosticism to Catholic faith.

This is one exact episode. The review applies to this conversation only.

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STARTING FRAMECatholic Christian / scientific — astrochemistry and astronomy

EXPLORESScience, History & Faith

ENGAGEMENT EFFORTModerate

REVIEW DEPTHL3 · Deeply Mapped

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Only this episode has been reviewed; the wider show has not.

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Good starting place if…

You are curious about planet formation and life beyond Earth, or want to hear a working scientist describe faith without collapsing scientific evidence into religious conviction.

Know before you begin…

The episode is explicitly Catholic and includes conversion testimony and speculation about extraterrestrial life. The science discussion was recorded in 2017 and should be heard historically.