Watch Neil deGrasse Tyson Host a Debate on Water’s Importance in the Universe Live at 7PM EDT

At this year’s annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate at the American Museum of Natural History, Neil deGrasse Tyson will host a—mostly female!—panel of experts, including NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan, as they discuss water’s role in the universe as well as its importance here on Earth. You can watch the whole thing live right here starting at 7PM EDT.

More on the topic of tonight’s debate from the AMNH:

Earth is the only place in our solar system with liquid water on its surface. Even though water makes up only 0.03 percent of the Earth’s total mass, it covers 70 percent of the planet’s surface. Where did this water come from? Why is it mostly in liquid form? How much of it is drinkable and how vulnerable is this valuable resource? Will we ever run out? Will wars of the future be fought over access to it? Will future generations harness water from space? Is water essential to all life in the universe—or just to life on Earth?

Join host and moderator Neil deGrasse Tyson and his panel of experts for a lively discussion about the past, present, and future of water on Earth.

And this year’s panelists:

Heidi Hammel
Planetary Astronomer
Executive Vice President of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy

Tess Russo
Hydrologist
Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Pennsylvania State University

Ellen Stofan
Planetary Geologist
Chief Scientist of NASA

Kathryn Sullivan
Geologist
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator

Charles Wald
General, U.S. Air Force, Retired
Director and Senior Advisor to the aerospace and defense industry for Deloitte LLP

(image via NASA HQ Photo)

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