Newly discovered planet may be habitable

[Bible_Belt]

"Places like Earth may not be very special"

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16209633?source=most_viewed&nclick_check=1

 

[The Mad Ghost]

Get me outer here!!! Are there any hot space-chicks living there?

No, but jokes aside. Are these the signs of the times? I mean, with our own planet becoming more and more hazardous, interior and exterior-wise. This suddenly pops up? I truelly believe we're not alone.

 

[WhitePimp]

I love stuff like this. I don't believe we're along either, and as technology progresses, I do believe we'll eventually find some evidence. Maybe not meeting up with aliens or anything so sci-fi, but perhaps seeing remnants on a distant planet

 

[synergy1]

I love stuff like this. I don't believe we're along either, and as technology progresses, I do believe we'll eventually find some evidence. Maybe not meeting up with aliens or anything so sci-fi, but perhaps seeing remnants on a distant planet

given the sheer number of galaxies ( not stars) which outnumber the grains of sand on earth, its highly unlikely that a planet like ours doesn't exist. I always postulated that the mechanism of life actually came from a stray asteroid or rock that hit earth some billions of years ago.

 

[kingsam]

guys have a watch of stephen hawkins universe new tv series

(they have a narrator so its not SH with his computer voice)

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/master-of-the-universe

the first one was about other planets, and aliens and stuff...probably the most realistic predictions about "life out there" ... not exactly friendly outcomes!

not sure if it will play outside the uk,, have a look around it the web , itshould be on some streaming sites if not

more.....
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/space/article7107207.ece

Don’t talk to aliens, warns Stephen Hawking
Jonathan Leake

THE aliens are out there and Earth had better watch out, at least according to Stephen Hawking. He has suggested that extraterrestrials are almost certain to exist — but that instead of seeking them out, humanity should be doing all it that can to avoid any contact.

The suggestions come in a new documentary series in which Hawking, one of the world’s leading scientists, will set out his latest thinking on some of the universe’s greatest mysteries.

Alien life, he will suggest, is almost certain to exist in many other parts of the universe: not just in planets, but perhaps in the centre of stars or even floating in interplanetary space.

Hawking’s logic on aliens is, for him, unusually simple. The universe, he points out, has 100 billion galaxies, each containing hundreds of millions of stars. In such a big place, Earth is unlikely to be the only planet where life has evolved.


“To my mathematical brain, the numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly rational,” he said. “The real challenge is to work out what aliens might actually be like.”

The answer, he suggests, is that most of it will be the equivalent of microbes or simple animals — the sort of life that has dominated Earth for most of its history.

One scene in his documentary for the Discovery Channel shows herds of two-legged herbivores browsing on an alien cliff-face where they are picked off by flying, yellow lizard-like predators. Another shows glowing fluorescent aquatic animals forming vast shoals in the oceans thought to underlie the thick ice coating Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter.

Such scenes are speculative, but Hawking uses them to lead on to a serious point: that a few life forms could be intelligent and pose a threat. Hawking believes that contact with such a species could be devastating for humanity.

He suggests that aliens might simply raid Earth for its resources and then move on: “We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet. Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach.”

He concludes that trying to make contact with alien races is “a little too risky”. He said: “If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the Native Americans.”

The completion of the documentary marks a triumph for Hawking, now 68, who is paralysed by motor neurone disease and has very limited powers of communication. The project took him and his producers three years, during which he insisted on rewriting large chunks of the script and checking the filming.

John Smithson, executive producer for Discovery, said: “He wanted to make a programme that was entertaining for a general audience as well as scientific and that’s a tough job, given the complexity of the ideas involved.”

Hawking has suggested the possibility of alien life before but his views have been clarified by a series of scientific breakthroughs, such as the discovery, since 1995, of more than 450 planets orbiting distant stars, showing that planets are a common phenomenon.

So far, all the new planets found have been far larger than Earth, but only because the telescopes used to detect them are not sensitive enough to detect Earth-sized bodies at such distances.

Another breakthrough is the discovery that life on Earth has proven able to colonise its most extreme environments. If life can survive and evolve there, scientists reason, then perhaps nowhere is out of bounds.

Hawking’s belief in aliens places him in good scientific company. In his recent Wonders of the Solar System BBC series, Professor Brian Cox backed the idea, too, suggesting Mars, Europa and Titan, a moon of Saturn, as likely places to look.

Similarly, Lord Rees, the astronomer royal, warned in a lecture earlier this year that aliens might prove to be beyond human understanding.

“I suspect there could be life and intelligence out there in forms we can’t conceive,” he said. “Just as a chimpanzee can’t understand quantum theory, it could be there are aspects of reality that are beyond the capacity of our brains.”

 

[5string]

I hope when they arrive, there are no AW's. Agree with WhitePimp and Synergy that we are not alone. You guys want to watch a good movie on extra terrestrials? Go rent "The Thing". Stars Kurt Russell. Directed by John Carpenter.

 

[HeyPachuco!]

the first one was about other planets, and aliens and stuff...probably the most realistic predictions about "life out there" ... not exactly friendly outcomes!

"If it bleeds, we can kill it"

 

[The Mad Ghost]

Some people, cults or religions actually believe there is extraterrestrial life already on the planet. Having lived here when the earth was born. Having seen the changes throughout the centuries. It would suck if extraterrestrials were some savage two legged beast-hunters who were more intelligent than us, that just wanted to conquer planets. I'd rather some intelligent species, similiar to humans in looks who could provide us with new technology, like time travel, cure for diseases, prevent and stop death or reality warping.

From what Hawkins is saying, is that some dog-looking aliens are going to be more intelligent than us, humans. FVCKING SUCKS! who are just out to conquer like Christopher Colombus.

Let's have some Star Wars Twi'lek HB10's coming down, so we don't have to bother with these entitled barbies we have in modern day. I wouldn't mind knocking up a blue-skinned Twi'lek female.

There is noway we're alone out there. Theres like 200 billion galaxies. The only thing is, If there where extraterrestrials who were more intelligent than us, why have they been unable to find us with their technology?

 

[Quiksilver]

There is probably other intelligent life out there ...

Are humans the first race of beings to evolve to the stage where we can interact with the cosmos?

We could be the first, or we could be average.

What I always end up thinking about is ... Is it possible for a race to advance to the point of being able to colonize other planets, or is it doomed to destroy itself first? To get to the stage that we can seriously think about sending X to another planet to live, we will have to have some pretty serious technology. This technology -- like nuclear technology -- can be used also for greater and greater destruction. If humans develop something that will carry us to another solar system in X years, then it will surely be very dangerous in other applications. All it takes is one idiot with a big red button in front of him, where pressing it will wipe out everything. If we get to a stage of technology where everyone has that big red button to press, I don't think we will get off this planet.

I'm also inclined to believe that we aren't the first intelligent life, and we aren't the last. Somewhere in the middle.

With septillions of stars (plus their planets) I don't see how life couldn't have evolved elsewhere.

Only thing is ... Will these other intelligent beings be too intelligent? Just as we are more intelligent than cattle, will another being be so advanced that it sees us as a herd of cattle to be managed and harvested?

It's a damn big universe!

 

[War Against Betaism]

No, but jokes aside. Are these the signs of the times? I mean, with our own planet becoming more and more hazardous, interior and exterior-wise. This suddenly pops up? I truelly believe we're not alone.

I doubt it. Even if we were living in prosperous times and the planet was as healthy as a horse, we would still be mad researching about life on other planets. One thing that won't change about human beings is ambition and this need to surpass our fathers.

 

[kingsam]

Is it possible for a race to advance to the point of being able to colonize other planets, or is it doomed to destroy itself first?

these were like two of the main options Sh save, if aliens are anything liek us, which is very likely, they will either have their own nuclear wars and kill themselves, it may be a common occurance, that civilisations appear then all dissapear within a relatively quick time (cosmos time)

the other main option was that, like us they degreade their home planet, to such a degree, that they move on to new places (well humans have done that for ever!) so plannet hop just using all the resources then moving on ,space nomads , a bit like independence day...not a friendly option

 

[NorwegianDJ]

Wow, this thread really opened my eyes.

 

[Alle_Gory]

But how are we going to get there?

 

[Warrior74]

But how are we going to get there?

wormhole technology is our best bet. Hadron collider business for the win. basic research into the fundamental structure of matter and of gravity and relativity. Eventually we could use that knowledge to create controlled wormholes between points in space (ala stargate) or gravity driven ships that could approach light speed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider

Also new research in cryogenics and life extension are showing significant breakthroughs, although sending sleeping people in a tin can or hollowed out asteroid to another solar system is such a crap shoot and will take so long that it's a last ditch effort to just preserve the human race. Another long term last ditch effort would be the creation of artificial wombs and just let a hollowed out asteroid travel there and create and educate the human offspring to colonize the planet.

Of course if we survive our forays into wormhole/light speed technology and learn even more, we could already be on the planet by the time the cryogenic/womb ship actually arrives.

We are living in amazing times. On the verge of learning more than ever about the universe while western civilization is in the middle of a massive upheaval. Finding life on other planets could do amazing things to our world and society...not necessarily for good or bad, but it would change the game, all games.

 

[Quiksilver]

But how are we going to get there?

I have family who works in the space industry, and this is the gist of what he thinks:

Humans will never leave earth under current technological conditions.

Using manned mission to Mars as an example:

Here are some issues:

1. Humans, being biological, are the weakness in any space flight. Circuits, gears, batteries, and solar panels can safely travel at much faster speeds than humans can.

2. Humans are subject to solar radiation. The duration of a flight to Mars is far too much exposure to cosmic radiation than a human body can absorb. Our space station is partially protected by the earths magnetic field and ionosphere, making long stays possible.

The fundamental question is: What can a human do on another planet that a robot cannot do? It's much more economical to send a robot than a person, and in space robots are in many ways more preferable to humans.

A more logical approach is to develop advanced robotics here on earth, then send them on long space flights. This has begun to happen already. Our first dabbles in this field are the mars and lunar rovers.

What is more likely to happen is humans send highly advanced robots to Mars/Moon/Titan/comets/Etc. which can then do whatever it is astronauts would have done, either with artificial intelligence or remote controlled.

--

What is possible with current technologies, in regards to this planet in another solar system, is this:

Develop a spaceship that is capable of having humans aboard. Probably construct the spaceship in space or on the moon, due to its large size. Would have to be fairly large to accommodate mining equipment, manufacturing labs, robotics labs, and human sustenance sections.

Nuclear reactor for long-term operation. Use better propulsion systems and energy systems when and as they develop. Light propulsion (light has mass and can theoretically propel something in space to the speed of light over time), or nuclear explosion propulsion (detonate a bomb behind the ship), those are the best options right now for faster travel. Light propulsion: Big panel on rear of spaceship --> Shine powerful laser beam at the back of it from earth/moon/earth orbit. Can gather/concentrate/reflect sunlight on it as well. This would propel it faster and faster until it was traveling the same speed as the light hitting it from behind.

Put advanced robotics on board that can maintain the ship in flight and perform duties at destination. Artificial intelligence is necessary, or else long-term management and operation protocols. Basically, mobile self-functioning robots on board instead of people. Remote control is not practical at that distance, when it would take 200 years to send a signal between earth and the spaceship.

Keep life-sustaining/creating supplies on board. Breathable air, food, plant seeds, etc. All cryogenically frozen.

Store frozen human embryos on board.

Travel to other solar system A.S.A.P. This is much easier/safer/faster without grown humans aboard

Once in orbit around destination planet, test planets atmosphere and 'liveability'. IE. check for life, water, good temperatures, resources.

Program the robots to 'grow' humans from the frozen embryos once at destination. This includes growing a baby from a test tube, keeping the baby alive, teaching it basic speech and intelligence, and then raise them to adulthood and release them to manage the ship. Basically, test-tube babies raised by robots in orbit around the destination planet, who have never set foot on Earth and never will. An example would be 100 men and 100 women of differing genetics to ensure a future population would survive.

Send mining robots and 'harvesting' robots to the planet to collect vital supplies for the ship: things like nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen. Resupply the ship so it can sustain itself in orbit.

If the planet is capable of supporting human life without technological assistance (very low probability) then they can set up a colony down below.

If planet has good resources, send down robotic mining equipment and manufacturing robots, essentially to industrialize the planet without humans. This could be done via remote control, operated by the people above. Build a launch pad or a way to interact with orbiting ship. Fabricate ship maintenance equipment on the surface with robots. It is a very high probability that a planet has the available resources to make parts for the spaceship. Theoretically you could build another using just the minerals and resources from the planet. You could even create soil and fertilizer to keep plant life strong aboard the ship.

Long term, once there is extraction/mining and manufacturing equipment on the planet, anything is possible. Would be possible to burrow into a mountain and create a livable environment in the cave.

Could also develop technology to 'seed' the planet with life, given the right conditions. All it takes is some engineered bacteria in a mud puddle on the surface, and the right atmosphere.

Eventually, it would be feasible to "ship" rare metals and resources from the other planet back to Earth.

--

In essence, send a spaceship with robots and human embryos to another planet. Robots grow live humans at the destination and proceed.

--

Logically what I wrote above is what we can expect to encounter from another advanced civilization if they see earth as hospitable. Unless they've found a way to protect themselves from cosmic radiation and travel many times faster than the speed of light then our 'first encounter' with aliens would be with their robots and artificial intelligence.

--

It also doesn't seem practical that another species would be tooo much smarter than humans. All humans needed to get intelligent was (from my view) lions and tigers chasing us across the Serengeti in Africa. Need facilitates growth in intelligence. Since higher intelligence has stopped becoming an evolutionary trait, humans have theoretically been getting dumber and less intelligent.

This would seem likely on other planets as well. Unless they genetically engineer their own to be smarter (which is a definite possibility) then they would be getting dumber too.

Or there are other concepts of life altogether and we've only scratched the surface of existence/matter/dimensions/etc. where the rules that define our logic and reason could be thrown out the window. Again, another possibility

 

[Alle_Gory]

1. Humans, being biological, are the weakness in any space flight. Circuits, gears, batteries, and solar panels can safely travel at much faster speeds than humans can.

I think you mean can withstand forces like acceleration and deceleration. Speed doesn't matter. The earth is flying around the sun at millions of kilometers an hour.

2. Humans are subject to solar radiation. The duration of a flight to Mars is far too much exposure to cosmic radiation than a human body can absorb. Our space station is partially protected by the earths magnetic field and ionosphere, making long stays possible.

That's true. But how did they get to the moon then??

A more logical approach is to develop advanced robotics here on earth, then send them on long space flights.

Yeah, but robots are stupid. Current "robots" are nothing more than remote controlled toys. In order to communicate with a robot on mars, you have to give it instructions beforehand. I'm talking minutes, and then you see the results.

The lag would be astronomical when looking at another planet in a different solar system. We need some kind of faster than light communication to get around that.


I get what you're saying about the whole dumbing down of society. But are we really getting that stupid? I mean look at the middle ages. You had peasants (who couldn't even read) and the upper class who were civilized (for the most part). If we're really doomed to be retards, then advanced robots and faster than light travel are just pipe dreams that can't be realized.

 

[Maxtro]

Anybody ever seen, Star Trek: First Contact?

Basically human kind was deemed too primitive to be paid any attention by more advanced species with our current technology. Once the first warp speed flight took place, the Vulcans showed up and officially made themselves known.

I don't have any doubt at all that life on other worlds exist and that we've also been visited and that our government knows about it. We may also have "acquired" some of their technology. I've heard theories that airplane stealth is actually alien tech.

Right now I think we are being observed by other species but they are primarily hands off with us. Odds are there will be a time when humans join the intergalactic community.

Are humans the first race of beings to evolve to the stage where we can interact with the cosmos?

We could be the first, or we could be average.

We could be millions of years behind the curve.

Consider that all the planets could have been created at the same time. Then life developed along similar time-lines. Then Earth went though several mass extinction periods. Mammals and Humankind itself are a very young species compared to the age of our planet.

I did a little research and archeologists estimate that modern humans have been on the Earth for about 200,000 years. So look at we've done in the 200,000 years that man has existed. Now imagine what the level of technology would be like if the dinosaurs did not die out and one or more species had continued to evolve and become sentient. Instead of having only 200,000 years to mess around, they had 65 million years.

Long story short, there can be aliens out there that are millions of years older than us with technology far beyond our own.

 

[DanelMadr]

Some time ago, researches did a little experiment. They put the criteria for hospitable planet on work with Earth, assuming observation from far away.
Conclusion was there is no chance a life can be on Earth.
So we might be a little sceptical about this new discovery.

Chances are there is some life in the universe. Maybe not so different from us. But you have to realize that we are actually watching the very past. Meanwhile the light travels to our telescopes the time passes.

Hadron collider gives me creeps. Sexually frustrated geeks are playing with the universe matter And basically they admit they know shyt. I wouldn't be surprised when one day all Switzerland swirls in to accidental wormhole and the rest of the Earth with it.:moon:

 

[DanelMadr]

I did a little research and archeologists estimate that modern humans have been on the Earth for about 200,000 years. So look at we've done in the 200,000 years that man has existed. Now imagine what the level of technology would be like if the dinosaurs did not die out and one or more species had continued to evolve and become sentient. Instead of having only 200,000 years to mess around, they had 65 million years.

Long story short, there can be aliens out there that are millions of years older than us with technology far beyond our own.

It seems humans are somewhat special. Take other mammals ...they don't evolve that fast. Chimps are very similar to us but lack the 1% and I think they will never evolve past that animal point. Not with us shooting them anyway. And some dinosaurs did survive...crocodiles, fish (not dinosaurs I know)...they did not evolve much. I think we are here either thanks to God's touch or very extraordinary set of circumstances, which could be quite coincidental - very low possibility of happening elsewhere.

Humans evolve really fast. In a few tens of thousand years we diversed to a point racism is bit of a problem. It is interesting how we can adapt fast. However I don't think we will evolve any faster. Quite the opposite, as nothing forces us to evolve-life is easier and easier. We do evolve in to fat slobs hounched over keyboard though:crackup:

 

[PRMoon]

Jules Verne wrote stories that were unbeliveable until they happened. I don't see anything different with this.