After a brief hiatus last year, the annual Astrobiology Science Conference is back, and 650+ assorted scientists of various flavours are gathered in sunny Santa Clara where the SETI Institute is hosting.
The meeting just started, and I'll liveblog random snippets and news, as and when I get the chance.
The opening plenary talk was given by Sir Martin Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow, Astronomer Royal, and a very good talk it was too, covering pretty much everything, cheerfully and provocatively.
I will leave you, for now, with a quote from him:
"It is better to read first rate science fiction than second rate science"
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