Out of this world!
Nobel Prize for Cambridge expert who found planet outside solar system
A CAmbridge University scientist who was yesterday awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics believes we could find life on other planets in 20 to 30 years.
Professor didier Queloz was awarded the prestigious prize for his discovery in 1995 of the first ‘exoplanet’ – a planet outside our solar system.
His find has since ushered in the discovery of thousands of other planets in the universe orbiting distant stars. The planet he discovered, 51 Pegasi b, is a gas giant orbiting a star 50 light years away.
Speaking after the announcement of his award yesterday, Professor Queloz said it is ‘realistic’ that we will find alien life in the next two or three decades – but is ‘convinced’ it will happen within 100 years. The Swiss scientist also dismissed fears of a brain drain in post- brexit britain, saying the country remains an ‘amazing’ place for science.
Professor Queloz, 53, added: ‘The UK has an amazing history in astronomy... the most amazing part, the most attractive part, is the diversity of knowledge, and that is required to understand exoplanets. So yes, i believe the UK has a lot to do, and a lot to say in science.’
Professor Queloz, a father of three, said he was in a bad mood yesterday morning as his bicycle had a puncture – but was soon cheered up by the news of his award, which he described as emotionally ‘intense’. He was awarded the prestigious scientific award along with michel mayor – who he worked with at the University of geneva when the discovery was made – and US scientist Jim Peebles, who studies cosmic radiation. The three men will share the prize money of £738,000.