The search for life in the universe has reached a pivotal stage. After centuries of pure speculation, a breakthrough came with the first detection of an exoplanet in 1995. Since then, the number of exoplanets has soared to nearly 6000 and hundreds of Earth-like planets have been discovered. The projection is of ten billion habitable worlds in our galaxy alone, each with the potential to host biology. Research now centers on the challenging task of detecting the global alteration of an exoplanet atmosphere caused by microbial life. Meanwhile, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence continues by looking for evidence of advanced technology on remote worlds. The detection of life beyond Earth would be the most profound scientific discovery of the century.

The science of astrobiology involves understanding the extent and origin of life on Earth and pursuing strategies to detect life off Earth. Astrobiology permeates popular culture through depictions of aliens in books, TV, and films, and with a widespread public belief that UFOs represent visits from aliens. Astrobiology in the Arts runs the gamut from fanciful aliens in science fiction and fantasy to realistic representations of exoplanets by astronomical artists. This talk will focus on creative responses to the search for life in the universe that capture important elements of the science of astrobiology. Examples will be taken from literature, film, TV, music, and the visual arts. Imaginative renditions of life beyond Earth should be taken seriously because everything from a fungal spore to a redwood tree to a blue whale is the result of a single biological experiment. Life on any of the myriad exoplanets in the cosmos might be stranger than we can imagine.