May 25, 2018
Image: Life beyond earth? - Clipartpanda.com
In this fascinating article from blend.brainjet.com we get a look into how easy it is to form “life” and so conclude there is a possibility life exists elsewhere other than just on earth…
Humans Are Actually Made Of Star Dust
What sounds like a cliche quote is actually as true as anything in the universe; humans are actually made of stardust.
All the crucial elements in the universe can be found inside stars. When these stars explode, they scatter carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur everywhere around them. These elements are considered the building blocks of life.
A study of 150,00 stars in the galaxy showed that human beings and the Milky Way galaxy have 97% of the same kind of atoms. The same studied showed that the right combination of elements for life appears closer to the center of the galaxy.
But just how easy is it to form life in this cold, desolate universe?
Life Is Easier Than You Think
The process from single-cell organisms to humans who are able to space travel took billions of years, but the time it took for single-cell organisms to emerge on Earth was very quick.
As soon as the Earth cooled to temperatures that could host liquid water, life began to form and grow. It could be argued that if it took billions of years for single-cell organisms to form on Earth, that life elsewhere in the universe might be sparse or non-existent, as it would evidently be very difficult for life to grow and maintain. But as it stands, so long as you have the right conditions for life, it forms quickly.
Put this together with the fact that there are many, many planets that we know of that live in the 'habitable zone' and it's not too far-fetched to say there is some form of life on those planets. If they've been in the habitable zone as long as we have, they could also have built their own civilizations by now, too.
Of course, how do we actually find out and confirm this?
The Technology Will Tell Us
Astronomers have already discovered many planets outside our Solar System that are in the 'habitable zone' of their respective systems. This means the planets are orbiting in a zone that is ideal for creating the atmospheres necessary to grow and breed living organisms. However, at present time, we're unable to deeply research these planets to see if they have the proper conditions to suit life.
Yet, it's been said that in the next 10-20 years, as technology continues to exponentially increase, we will be able to examine these planets to see what their atmospheres are like. Should we discover 'free oxygen' on a planet, it will basically be a confirmation that this planet has life on it. This is because the only way for free oxygen to last on a planet for a substantial amount of time is if there is life present to keep it around.
The Resilience of Life
On the topic of it being statistically improbable that we are alone in the universe, it's worth noting just how resilient life forms can be and what they can adapt to.
In 1991, a form of fungi, radiotrophic fungi, was discovered that had learned to convert gamma radiation into chemical energy around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. There is a lot of unknown factors about these fungi, but the existence of such a lifeform is another testament to how lifeforms can persevere in tough conditions. Combine that with a large number of planets in the 'habitable zone,' it seems that life will find a way to succeed and flourish even in less-than-ideal conditions.
The Sheer Numbers
The most popular consensus for proof of alien life is the size of the universe. With the countless number of galaxies, stars, and planets, the odds of our one planet being the sole place with life in the entire universe is mathematically impossible.
In 1961, astrophysicist Frank Drake wrote what is now known as the 'Drake equation', an equation that estimates the number of active alien civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy. The equation calculates the assumed number of alien civilizations based off several factors of Earth and what we know about the cosmos.
The equation was written not to give a concrete number of alien civilizations, but more to summarize the concepts that scientists have to take into consideration when asking questions on if there is alien life that we can communicate with.
Conspiracies Come Forth
Who else to believe about the prospects of alien life than somebody who actually went to outer space? This former astronaut claims that no, we are indeed not alone in the universe.
Edgar Mitchell, a former astronaut who participated in the Apollo 14 mission, stated in 2009 that aliens did exist and that the US government was covering up the evidence.
"Mankind has long wondered if we're 'alone' in the universe. But only in our period do we really have evidence. No, we're not alone," Mitchell told CNN.
He went on to cite his upbringing in Roswell, New Mexico, which was the site of an alleged UFO crash in 1947, and commented on how people around him were told to hush up about their experiences. He then stated that the locals in Roswell confided in him about the UFO because he had traveled to the Moon.
"I urge those who are doubtful: Read the books, read the lore, start to understand what has really been going on. Because there really is no doubt we are being visited," Mitchell added.
A NASA spokesperson denounced the claims, citing that NASA does not track UFOs and that they were not involved in any sort of cover-up about alien life.
The Concession
As it stands, it's hard to rule out the possibility that some form of life is out there in the cosmos. Adding in all the possible conspiracies, it seems even more likely, even if we don't have definitive proof yet.
So, are we really alone? Will we ever get direct contact? Only time will tell...
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