CosmoCaixa imagines life beyond Earth in new exhibition on extraterrestrials

Are we alone in the universe? 

CosmoCaixa Science Museum explores one of humanity's greatest questions – and the possible answers – in a new exhibition running in Barcelona from February 26 to August 30.

'Extraterrestrials - Is There Life Outside Earth?' delves into topics such as our place in the cosmos, the meaning of the concept of life, and how literature and cinema have shaped the collective imagination about what form alien life could take.

While there is still no conclusive evidence, for the first time in history, scientific and technological advances allow us to glimpse an answer to this great mystery. 

The exhibition – structured into five areas – aims to clarify doubts by explaining existing scientific knowledge, challenge clichés, explore possible futures, and inspire visitors to imagine what discovering life outside Earth would mean for humanity.

Visitors begin by discovering Earth's place in the cosmos. The exhibition then explores, from a historical perspective, the great philosophical debate between those who argue that life is unique to our planet, and those who believe in the existence of other inhabited worlds.

Depictions of alien worlds and life forms in art, film and literature are examined, as are Earth’s extreme environments, home to organisms that seem straight out of science fiction. 

Finally, the exhibition focuses on the scientific evidence to present the current state of research in the field, while also considering possible future scenarios, should humankind one day discover life beyond our planet.

"Not having an answer is the most beautiful thing"

"The idea of life beyond Earth has been part of our imagination as humans since the beginning of time," says Eva Villaver, one of the four co-curators of the exhibition.

Through a variety of audiovisual material and interactive installations, the exhibition shows "how we understand life on earth, the role of different components like water and energy, how we look for life in the universe from a scientific perspective, and what kind of answers we can provide today into this quest."

Speaking to Catalan News at the exhibition opening, Villaver, an astrophysicist at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), explains that the aim is "to make visitors think."

To explore the question of life beyond Earth, "we have to understand two basic concepts," Villaver says: "what life is and how life on Earth works, and, from an astronomical point of view, we need to understand how planets are formed, what a planet needs to develop an atmosphere than can sustain life."

"We are at a time in human history that we can start providing answers to those questions, Villaver says."

And what about the biggest question of all? Are we alone in the universe? 

"We don't have an answer yet," Villaver says, smiling. "But not having an answer is the most beautiful thing, because we have the possibility of looking for the answer."