WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — What IF we find intelligent life beyond Earth? How far away will it be? What will it look like? What will the species think about us earthlings?

Popular scientist, engineer, comedian, author and inventor Bill Nye — also known as Bill Nye the Science Guy — will share his take on the cosmos and the will to discover space when he visits Purdue on Nov. 8.

Combining the contrasting worlds of science and entertainment, Nye rose to fame for his critically acclaimed live action science program “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” In the years since the show, Nye has dedicated his time to helping foster an environment that promotes science and learning. He is the CEO of The Planetary Society.

“We humans have always looked to the night sky and pondered our place in the cosmos,” Nye said in a June blog post “Reaching Higher for Space.” “Indeed, the power of the stars to inspire and transform us stretches deep into our mythic past when constellations framed our understanding of the universe.”

This event is a part of Purdue's celebration of its 150th year and specifically of the anniversary's Ideas Festival, the centerpiece of Purdue's Giant Leaps Sesquicentennial Campaign. The Ideas Festival will feature a series of events that connect world-renowned speakers and Purdue expertise in a conversation on the most critical problems facing the world. Space: Earth, Exploration, Economics is one of the Ideas Festival themes.

The event is 7 p.m. in Elliott Hall of Music. Tickets are $10 for Purdue students and any one under 18. The fee is $15 for others. Tickets are available online and at the Stewart Center box office at 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW. Tickets go on sale for any Purdue student, staff or faculty member on Friday (Oct. 12) at 10 a.m., and to the public on Monday (Oct. 15) at 10 a.m.

The event is sponsored by the College of Engineering and the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Writers: Jaclyn Lawmaster, 574-301-9049, jlawmast@purdue.edu and Kelsey Schnieders Lefever, kschnied@purdue.edu

Media contact: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: No photographs, video or recordings are permitted during the Bill Nye event.