The big question

摘要

We can kid ourselves about big questions. What is the origin of mass? What is dark matter? Does time really exist? But in our heart of hearts there is only one question we desperately want to answer: what is life and how did it come about? Astrophysicist Dimitar Sasselov argues that we are on the brink of being able to answer this question, and his enthusiasm is infectious. Sasselov cites two key developments. The first will come as no surprise: the discovery of planets outside our solar system. The total stands at over 700, with new ones being discovered every day. Rarely in the history of science can a field have advanced at such a breakneck pace.