Life is extremely resilient once it takes hold, but it requires rich chemistry, large energy sources, and stability, right from the beginning. The comparative planetology of our solar system makes it seem like those initial conditions are hard to come by. Dimitar Sasselov beginchemistrycomparative share on social
Ocean planets might be very common in the universe because water is very common in the low-temperature environments where planets form and evolve. This might be especially true for super-Earths, which can retain volatiles more easily thanks to their larger mass and surface gravity. Dimitar Sasselov commoneartheasily share on social
We do care about planets like the Earth because by now we understood that life as a chemical system really needs a smaller planet with water and with rocks and with a lot of complex chemistry to originate, to emerge, to survive. Dimitar Sasselov carechemicalchemistry share on social
My parents gave me a small telescope, then I built my own, and one thing led to another. So that's how I ended up going from being a hobby astronomer to a professional astronomer. Dimitar Sasselov astronomerbuildend Change image and share on social
In science, it is rare that a transformational change occurs during our lifetimes. Dimitar Sasselov changelifetimeoccur Change image and share on social
There is immense, powerful potential in life in this universe - especially now that we know that places like the Earth are common. And that potential, that powerful potential, is also our potential, of you and me. Dimitar Sasselov commonearthimmense share on social
Super-Earths are how we call a family of planets... up to two times larger and about ten times more massive than the Earth. Dimitar Sasselov callearthfamily Change image and share on social
I grew up in Bulgaria in a small city on the Black Sea Coast, so I was very interested in the sea, marine life, and everything related to it. But it was also a very dark place at night, so I could see the stars. And I just got very interested in it. Dimitar Sasselov blackbulgariacity share on social
We love our planet Earth. We should - it is our home, and there's no place like home. There can't ever be a better place than Earth. Dimitar Sasselov earthhomelove Change image and share on social
People quite often think of the question 'Are we alone in the universe?' in terms of other civilizations out there: life forms that have reached at least our level of technological development. Dimitar Sasselov civilizationdevelopmentform Change image and share on social
