2024 Neil Graham Lecture in Science

For thousands of years, inspired by the star-filled dark night sky, people have wondered what lies beyond Earth. Today, the search for signs of life is a key motivator in exoplanet and solar system research. This search is fueled in part by the unprecedented capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, despite challenges such as faint signals, unknown planetary environments, and contamination from host stars. The innovative practices of the New Space era, with emphasis on agility, focus, and cutting-edge technology, are poised to significantly accelerate our progress in these quests. But we must strategically navigate both challenges and opportunities to edge us closer to answering one of humanity's most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe?