Search for Xtraterrestrial Life

Tyche, A Possible Ninth Planet?

2011-02-15T16:38:00.000-08:00

Within the past week astrophysicists John Matese and colleague Daniel Whitmire have announced the discovery of a planet four times the size of Jupiter within the Oort Cloud, named Tyche. They have since stated that the planet is not due to be in view until two years from now. However, many skeptics say that the planet could not exist out there or that it is not a part of our solar system.

Some examples of evidence of a larger body in the outer solar system include the altering of comet/asteroid orbit paths, and a heat signature if it is a geologically active planet. However, due to its distance of billions of miles from Earth, it is not visible by traditional telescopes. We can find bodies like the proposed Tyche planet through radio wave technology, observing differences in images that come through via the waves.

If the planet Tyche is in the Oort Cloud and appears in the two years guessed, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will make it an official planet. It will most likely have an interesting chemistry, due to the comets and frozen water that it comes in contact with. Scientists will also observe the differences within this body, and be able to explore the new possibilities within the universe and other solar systems.

New Blogs and Business!

2010-09-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry for not blogging recently - as in for months...... But I have been very busy......

~ If you want to see how my business is going, visit http://www.campingmaxx.com/.

~ If you want to see what I'm blogging about now, visit http://www.constitutionalspirit.blogspot.com/

I am now doing more community service and becoming more politically active, so I will remain busy.

That is all......

Life on Brown Dwarves

2010-06-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

NASA has recently come across the coolest brown dwarves (failed stars) in the known universe. Could life exist on these barren bodies? Many brown dwarves are alone, not orbiting anything or recieving sunlight. They emit very little light themselves. These new brown dwarves are in a special class of stars below 2,240 degrees Fahrenheit. Could microbes exist on them? Life on this planet has adapted to the freezing arctic temperatures and to thermal vents in the bottom of the sea. Why couldn't they evolve to live in a relatively cool stellar atmosphere? They would be able to have water, protection from UV rays with the thick atmosphere, and a source of heat. The only thing that they wouldn't have is sunlight, unless the brown dwarf was part of a multi-star system.

Kuiper Belt Life

2010-06-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

The New Horizons space probe was launched a few years ago, and is headed to the outer limits of the solar system with the intent of studying icy bodies. How might places far from the sun, like Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, have life? Here on Earth, there are life forms that live inside the ice of Antarctica; they literally grow in the cracks! However, they don't have to worry about the atmospheric cycles that Pluto and other bodies have. As Pluto revolves around the sun, the ice on its surface slightly evaporates and creates an extremely thin atmosphere. Could life handle these changes of melting and freezing? The main problem they might have is adapting, due to the length of its orbital period. However, microbes would be able to adapt; they would evolve to live in freezing temperatures, live with little atmosphere and survive with little sunlight.

Perspectives from Place in Space

2010-06-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Earth is in the 'habitable' zone of our solar system; where the sun's rays allow for us to be the perfect temperature, a gas giant is there to protect us from asteriods, and our moon allows for tides and fine-tuning of our planet's temperature. Scientists have discovered that there are many more habitable locations in our solar system. Moons like Europa, Ganymede, and Io may be host to microbial life, or even sea creatures. Creatures on these moons may become very complex, possibly evolving intelligence. Planets in systems with red dwarves are being studied. Aliens on these planets might have a non-photosynthetic beginning, unless they are nearby the star. We have observed that complex life can evolve around a chemosynthetic base. Multi-stellar systems, like in the photograph, could develop a wide array of photosynthetic life. These life forms would likely display complex behavior, due to having to respond to the different levels of light as they revolve around the stars.

Many different locations and places will have different forms of life; always keep an open mind and remember that just as Earth life is unique, other life will also be unique.

Could Human History be Lost?

2010-06-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

We have sent messages into space for decades; if an alien responded to a message and visited an Earth devoid of Human life, would there be any evidence? Structures of stone would last a really long time. It has been shown that colonized areas with plant life, like Asia and South America, have been entirely cloaked from view. Even with new satellite technology, we are finding new structures continually. Another sign of possible sentience on our planet is the distribution of life on Earth. With the globalization of our society comes the transportation of animals. Horses, bees, fruits, foods, plants, and many other living things have been imported to new locations. Intelligent alien species might be able to piece together how we were involved. Finally, the space artifacts on other planets and the space debris surrounding our planet is the last evidence of humanity. Would it be possible to extend our influence further, to extend the proof of our existence on this earth?

Dependence on Technology

2010-06-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went backpacking in the mountains, and began thinking of how dependent we are on technology, new sciences and other products of our society. Early in history, humans knew nothing of bacteria, artificial materials, or mindsets that we currently have. As I began to hike with my 18-pound pack with all of the essentials that I needed, and when I was processing the 'diseased' water with my filter, I realized how vulnerable we are to technology. If humans were to lose all of our technology, our world would fall apart. In my next post, I hope to talk about how we could/will ease ourselves from technological dependence.

We Find Life: Where Do We Go from There?

2010-06-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

If we find alien life on Titan as discussed in my previous post, where do we go from there? The Cassini spacecraft is observing the northern methane lakes, and will continue to view it. If we find life, we will probably first send another probe there to land on the surface and take samples. When we get the biological information, we will begin the process of studying the genetic information and comparing it to our forms of life. We will also observe how it breathes, gets energy, reproduces, evolves... the astrobiological field will explode! There is also the possibility of genetic experimentation, blending Terran and Titan(ian) genomes and finding new uses for microbes. Later, probably after we have created bases on the moon and on Mars, human scientists will live on space stations surrounding Titan and study the life further.

Titan: More Evidence for Life?

2010-06-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

NASA scientists have gotten information from the Cassini spacecraft that there has been a lot of action on the surface of Titan. Complex chemical reactions on the surface may be proof that life exists on Titan; because of all of the methane on the planet, they may be dependent on this or other elements to survive. NASA reports that there has been a lack of acetylene and an outgassing of hydrogen on the surface. On Titan, there is no form of water; if there is alien life, it would not be water-dependent, like everyone says that they 'have to be'. This information is very exciting, especially to those in the astrobiological field.

To view NASA's article, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/titan20100603.html

Explore the Universe and Aid Astronomers!

2010-06-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

One of the most successful citizen-led science projects has been noticed by NASA; ZooUniverse has been involved in a wide range of astronomical studies, ranging from Supernovas to Hubble Images. Now view the moon, and aid scientists in studying craters and other lunar features in views of unprecident quality!

NASA Article ~ http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/news/moon-zoo.html

Zooniverse Website ~ http://www.zooniverse.org/home

The 'Issues' Behind Not Exploring Space

2010-05-31T11:21:00.000-07:00

I found this cartoon, which in my view perfectly shows how politicians do not see the light of human advancement. From the space exploration that we have done, we have advanced tremendously and gained much insight. However, politicians are not allowing this. Let us observe this cartoon: The Earth is shown as being small, overpopulated and not well-run. The 'Resources of Space' are shown as being gigantic, compared to the smallness of the Earth. It offers space to grow crops, land for its people to populate, an overabundance of raw materials; and yet people say that we cannot do this. We have the resources, we have the technology, we have the capital. Even if we did not have enough money, the return on such an investment would be well worth it. Also, imagine the new technologies that would come from different gravities, different environments, and even different materials.

Tell me, why can people not take such an offer of benefit?

Stephen Hawking's Alien Conspiracy

2010-05-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Stephen Hawking, the man who proved the existence of black holes (the guy in the wheelchair, if you don't care), stated that aliens will kill us and ruin the human race. Personally, I find this to be completely false.

1. Aliens that are advanced enough to travel to our planet in spaceships would have a vast knowledge in a variety of disciplines. They would have no need for any 'advanced technologies' that we may have, unless they have evolved differently and created different technologies.

2. They would not come to Earth just for our resources, when they could go to other bodies without the hassles of dangerous bio-hazards(us). By coming here, there would be the danger of mining amid fatal diseases that they have never come in contact with. Also, there are other bodies all over space.

3. Finally, if they had the knowledge and technology to come to Earth, then they would probably be smart enough to think ahead and be safe, by not spreading/contacting our biosphere and wearing hazmat-like outfits. No one would take the risk of coming into contact with strange diseases of an alien world.

Do you agree with me, or how do you disagree?

Week of Conspiracies and Theories Debunked

2010-05-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

I have recently come across multiple articles about a wide variety of crazy, bizarre, and plain wierd topics. I will be talking about them, and reasoning them out.

Globalization of Alien Worlds

2010-05-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier, I talked about the globalization of our own world. But how might other worlds globalize? Certain civilizations might begin to globalize early on, using borrowed technology from other advanced soceties or aliens. A global network for transportation and commerce leads to globalization, either using the technology they have or any evolutionary advantages. Strange evolutinary innovations like the ability to swim or fly will have immense implications. These will lead to much more efficient movement and speed. A co-evolutionary group could bounce ideas off of each other, especially if they are desgned differently.

Once again, the possibilities are endless. Do you have any other ideas/theories of how alien cultures might globalize?

How do we Define Life?

2010-05-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

Life is very versatile; it comes in many shapes, forms and sizes. So how do we define it? Viruses, for example, are technically not alive because they cannot reproduce independently. They are very small, at 15-25 nanometers long. However, they require forms of life to continue on. On a meteorite that landed on Earth that was originally from Mars, scientists have found very, very, very small objects that look a bit like some microbial life forms here on Earth. Was there once life on Mars? There is much controversy, because the supposed bacteria is much, much smaller than life on Earth. Also, who is to say that they are not just funny-looking natural features? If you have heard of this debate, what do you think?

Globalization of the World

2010-05-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Recently, with the eruption of the volcano in Iceland, we have seen an example of globalization. As a whole, the world has communicated with each other the same goal and achieved it. Satellites around the planet help with globalization, connecting everyone via internet and other forms of networking. The world is beginning to work with each other to accomplish many goals, like helping developing nations to grow and using technology to help those in desert regions. However, we are reaching a time where globalization will come more close-knitly than before. World markets have developed, and the clashing of two highly successful markets could spark dissent. As the world comes together, how might different forms of thinking come about?

Are We Ready for Life?

2010-05-03T12:25:00.001-07:00

Everyone knows about an advanced alien society coming to earth and meeting us. As we begin to expand into the solar system, are we possibly prepared to be the more advanced species? At the end of the movie Red Planet, humans bring back alien specimens to help rid the atmosphere of CO2. In reality, humans might not be nearly as direct about alien specimens. Would people really fuss over microscopic life on other planets, and go insane? Or would they accept it? What moral issues back the intervening/meeting with confronting more primitive life?

Tell Me Your Opinion!

2010-05-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

How do you believe we should colonize space? We could keep from colonizing the planets by remaining in space stations, either located around Earth or orbiting independently. We could terraform, or make other planets have earth-like conditions. We could also just colonize by having domes all over the surface and live underground. There are many varieties of colonization we could execute.

Privatization of the Space Industry

2010-05-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

The Obama administration has shut down NASA's programs to continue human expansion. Although this discourages the public and decreases interest in space exploration, this gives us another benefit. All over the world, private industries are looking to the stars; There are scientists looking for new fuels and technologies. There are companies with very original ideas, like ships that carry space shuttles to the equator for launching. Many companies and universities are developing plans for space stations and lunar modules. The future looks very bright for these private industries.

Intergalactic Celebrities: Where to Hide?

2009-06-26T13:40:00.001-07:00

Today on Earth, celebrities are able to be followed everywhere, 24-7. In an advanced civilization where tracking technology and transportation are advanced multifold, where might celebrities be able to hide from the media? In an intergalactic society news will be many months delayed, if not years. (This is with information traveling at the speed of light) Any celebrity would be able to hide, though only for a limited time. Otherwise, they would have to live in a stealth environment.

Not Here For A While

2009-06-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been able to post for a while... the recession that we are in has been affecting me and my family.

Jurassic Park, Aliens and Genetic Engineering

2009-05-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

In the book and film Jurassic Park, it introduces a relatively futuristic concept into a way for simple minds to comprehend. Would it really be easy enough to recreate a species with mosquitoes? So far we have been able to clone animals, and alter their genes. We have implanted anti-pesticide genes into crops. But how far would an advanced alien race go - and how much would they themselves be able to change? A civilization separated by many light-years might clone themselves, so that they could be politically connected. They could colonize any planet with little or no terraformation effort, instead modifying the genes in selected creatures to live on the planet. Also, any technologically advanced civilizations would create nanomachines, able to destroy germs at atomic level. But they would have had to come an extremely long way to be able to successfully do this - with NO MISTAKES WHATSOEVER. Today's genetic engineering may lead to mutations and unstoppable epidemics in the future, even from one small genetic tweak.

Does Civilizaion have Time Limits? Is extinction possible?

2009-05-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

So far, humanity is a one-planet species. Even though we have the technology to be a multi-planetary civilization, we have decided to stay 'home'. Currently humanity is concerned with global warming, food shortages and the possibilities of self-destruction. If humankind becomes a space-faring species, we will have to worry less about these issues. Is it possible that humans are approaching the end of days on Earth? People talk of terraformation, but we do not implement it. Eventually, if we do not leave the planet, humans will die out.

How soon might it be until humans HAVE to evacuate Earth?

Galactic Recessions and Solar-System WideDark Ages?

2009-04-26T10:02:00.001-07:00

As a species on this planet, humankind is doing quite badly compared to the past. Even though we are not in 'dark ages' as in the medieval ages, we are not advancing at a very visible rate. If aliens at the height of their galactic power were to go into the dark ages, via communication or teleportation failure, how might their society break up or devolve? If their government were one unified population, they would loose all of their power so long as they were not able to have control. Multiple city-state, or solar/star system societies would emerge out of the mayhem. It might be possible for this galactic society to wage 'civil' war upon itself. Hopefully, though, the aliens would have a lower-tech solution and travel using solar sails, nuclear engines or other technology that by then would be ages old. Hopefully humanity will emerge successfully from our present global recession and invest in the future.

Also, how close do you think we are to becoming a system-wide society?

A Helping Hand from Above

2009-03-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

Humankind has always said that the Pyramids of Giza, Easter Island heads and many other diverse monuments were built with human ingenuity. But what if aliens came and helped humanity build these structures? They might have done this, and help begin the construction of civilization itself. What might the reasons be for a different, more advanced species to help primitive beings like ourselves to evolve? If life in space is rare, then these aliens might be helping us not out of kindness, but out of necessity. Also, although they see that we are primitive, they might want us to not destroy ourselves in the process of building our own civilization. There are many different reasons for alien beings to contact us..... hopefully, they might come back and check on our progress as a species and accept us in time to their society.

Human Architecture vs. Alien Architecture, Part II

2009-03-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

Humans live on a planet with many diverse environments and weather, allowing us to create many different designs and structures from a multitude of substances. But what about other exoplanets, where there might not be as many materials? On an icy body where the ice never melts, the first primitive aliens that live there might eat the ice to make energy and to breathe. They might live in a hive or colony society, building tall ice 'mounds' like the termites do. On an arid planet like Mars, aliens might live deep underground near liquid aquifers. As it revolves around the sun, the aquifer will fill up and drain into any lower chambers dug out for storage. The architecture would be unlimited, because underground you can spread out in any direction and can be carved out in any shape possible.

Human Architecture vs. Alien Architecture, Part I

2009-02-28T18:03:00.000-08:00

Today, humans have a multitude of architecturals styles. The first structures were probably caves, with manmade structures in the iceage probably being teepees made of wood, bone and animal skins. These structures were built to trap heat, with a fire in the middle. There were also structures built out of mud. Mud could be padded on top of a wooden structure, or it could be molded into bricks. With these bricks comes many architectural styles, from Spanish to modern. With the advent of glass and steel, skyscrapers became the new architectural style. Some buildings are now "going green" and are having hanging gardens, solar power panels and grass roofs.

Currency and their Changes

2009-02-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

I came up with this article while thinking about our recession. Originally, the human civilization used the barter system, in which one type of good was traded for another. Then, the first currency of gold, silver and other metal coinage was made. The United States was one of the first to use paper money, which has no value in some countries but is still used. As a civilization moves into space, how might its 'currency' change? Right now our rockets and satellites are powered by nuclear fusion, hydrogen and liquid oxygen. We plan to mine for diamonds, gold water and other precious materials as we colonize space. In the future, humanity might use an immensely blown-up barter system as larger amounts of materials are discovered. For example, Jupiter might trade hydrogen for some carbon dioxide from Venus. As humanity continues to expand, we will also expand our trading and financial horizons.

Radio Transmissions and their Effectiveness

2009-02-11T10:02:00.000-08:00

For over 8 decades humans have been sending radio signals into space, intentionally and unintentionally. Though this has only a limited effectiveness, because if aliens DO hear you, they will be hearing sounds and broadcasts that might be ancient by that time. Also, how do we know that aliens are not TOO ADVANCED to hear us? We have not discovered many transmissions, though we might be able to intercept a very old civilization's calls with radio waves. If we do contact an alien civilization, it would take many thousands of years to intercept their message, which we might not even be able to decode or understand. There is much uncertainty with radio transmissions.

Alien Diplomacy and Humanity

2009-02-09T10:01:00.001-08:00

If Area 51 is indeed holding aliens and spacecraft, then there are many ways in which an alien civilization might interact. They might attack our planet, which they luckily have not yet done. They might leave us alone, to disturbed by our scientific methods of dissection to interact with us. They might send in alien scientists to examine the human psyche, which it seems they have done since the 1950's with UFO encounters. Or instead, they might work with our government. This last scenario seems like an unlikely one, because as a species, our world would be in chaos if the discovery of any extraterrestrial life is made.

If you want to read more about Alien Diplomacy, read my previous post.

Also, what do you think aliens are (might be) interacting with us today?

Alien Diplomacy

2009-02-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

When War of the Worlds came out, someone came up with a very clever hoax. All over America radios told that extraterrestrials from Mars had come to Earth, and America responded in pure terror. How is this related to diplomacy? If any advanced aliens went out and searched for other life, how might different civilizations react? To any organisms that have little intelligence, they might go up to the aliens but not comprehend what they are seeing. To any tribal groups, like the nomadic tribes in Africa, they might make gods out of the aliens. To any civilizations as advanced as their own, they would probably react in friendship with each other. As for our own?? Right now our species might be subject to alien examination, with our governments covering it up.

Religion and Advanced Aliens Might not Mix

2009-02-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

Religion has been the cause of wars, prosecution, bias and a hindrance to science. It has gone against Darwinian evolution, and has prosecuted against outspoken and thought-provoking women. But what might religion become in an alien civilization many centuries ahead of our own? These aliens, if they were like Christians, would have shed all previous beliefs and false "facts". A religion that might be good for a space-faring race would believe in a god that would have created the entire universe and has since gone about creating life to travel among the stars. Also, another good religion would believe in any life forces that could create any essences or "souls". Currently, humans are mainly Christians and believe in Science.

Spore: Bringing the Universe to Your Computer

2009-01-30T13:53:00.001-08:00

Spore, released in September 2008, lets you decide on the evolution of life. You start out with microbes, and can create more complex and intelligent creatures as you evolve. Spore uses state of the art computer software, simplified for your own use. As you design life forms, you can decide how they interact, how they hunt, and what customs they might have. As they advance they can become a space-faring race, interacting with other players and planetary systems online. So far, this is the only software of its kind. Not only is it a massive online community, but it is the only software with CAD and other advanced programs integrated with it. I recommend this to anyone, whether you are a computer programmer, a biologist or a normal person admiring this blog and reading this article.

Alien Megaconstructions and Superstructures

2009-01-27T13:28:00.000-08:00

So far human civilization has created the pyramids, the Colosseum, the Taipai 101 tower, and many other huge structures. These projects are considered major accomplishments by our own species, but what about advanced civilizations many centuries ahead of our own? Extraterrestrials might view the terraformation of planets as everyday life, almost like the construction of a house or office building. With their advanced technology, these aliens would be able to construct buildings hundreds of miles wide. These advances might lead to some truly huge, like creating huge antimatter factories, immediate intergalactic communication, and possibly black hole transit. These projects would be considered as very important and as major accomplishments. Some other major constructions include the controversial "god" positions, which may include creating nebulae, initiating supernovae, and eventually spawning unique life on new planets and finding diverse lifeforms on other planets. Someday, humankind will hopefully follow in these footsteps.

Book Reccomendations about Aliens

2009-01-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't been able to post... I had to study for finals. Also, I have looked up and read a couple of books. Here is a list of books which I recommend to any sci-fi fanatics:

The Mars Trilogy, By Kim Robinson - Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars

3001: The Final Frontier, By Arthur C. Clarke

Sphere, By Michael Crichton

All of these books involve humans as space-faring races, and their interaction with the unknown. If you like stories that involve new frontiers, aliens and minor politics, then you should read these.

Political Structures, Successes and Failures

2009-01-20T10:02:00.000-08:00

For centuries on our own planet we have experimented with different structures for our leadership. But what about aliens? Extraterrestrials with a hive structure, like that of bees, might keep in touch with "tradition" and simply let the queen reign while they engage in interstellar trade. This strategy would work, except it might form a form of disconnection from the workers and their leaders, creating a revolution. Bird-like creatures might keep in flock, being nomads which wander around planets. These creatures would colonize other planets, creating an independence from the original flock. This system could be very successful. While us primates might depend on a single leader, alien societies might depend on the entire civilization, with each group doing different things. This could go two ways. Beings could either choose what they want, or they could be stuck in it, their families becoming a part of a selected caste system. This would lead to revolt. Today, on the day president elect Barack Obama became our leader, I want you to think about different types of leadership and society.

BIG NEWS: Methane Discovered on Mars

2009-01-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

Scientists have found plumes of methane in Mars's northern hemisphere. They found the methane through light, looking at the refractions of light to find them. They found multiple plumes of methane, one of which releasing 19,000 metric tons of methane into the atmosphere. These plumes were found over what are thought to be ancient water ways of flowing water. Though currently, they do not know the source of the methane.

Adaptation to New World: Genetic Engineering

2009-01-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

As multiple worlds are colonized by alien beings, they might see that they might not want to alter the natural environment. One alternative to terraforming and domes is genetic engineering. This process will be hard, and will probably take many generations. Any advanced civilization might choose to experiment with fast-breeding animals, to test the results. If a being changes even one wrong gene, that creature would not live long on an alien world. As our technology and understanding about the genetic code advances, we may decide to alter our bodies to travel to other planets.

Planets: Diverse Edens

2009-01-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

As an advanced space civilization travels farther into space, they may come to see different planets as different opportunities. How might they put different planets to use? On planets like Mercury, there would be no life existing there but machines, which mine the planet for materials. There is a huge sphere surrounding the entire planet, harvesting the energy of the sun as it rotates. On other planets covered in oceans, aliens might build a themepark, which strangely enough, might cover the entire planet. There would be hovorboarding and deep-ocean trench diving. On giant gas planets, an alien civilization would have a giant spaceport on its many moons, using the planet's gravity to launch spacecrafts to fast speeds. These ideas might not be true, because "green" aliens might turn planets into natural preserves, either leaving them as they are or introducing new and different species into the biosphere. Any way, the planets offer many diverse attractions and uses.

A New Home

2009-01-12T10:01:00.000-08:00

A space-faring race with a huge population has to move out. But where would they go? Fledgling societies like our own might choose a nearby planet to colonize, or they might build space stations. Would people tweak their genes and adapt to the environment, or would they terraform the landscape? These decisions could be the next steps to colonizing other worlds. But what might aliens decide to do? If they were gas-like beings on a hot jupiter, any rocky planets nearby would not be suitable for them. They might decide to either build space stations or decide to travel into other solar systems like their own. Beings on cold, small planets would look outward, or might decide to colonize frozen parts of planets in their own solar system. These might be slightly warmer, but still adaptable conditions. Our universe has many diverse landscapes to choose from and change.

Space-Faring Civilizations: Beginnings

2009-01-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

The human race began their journey into space 70 years ago. What jump-started this technology was the many technological advances made in the World Wars. The problem is, if a species has the power to go into space, then they also have the power to make powerful bombs. This would be a problem for many alien civilizations, including our own. If humans destroy themselves before they colonize space, then we are gone forever. It is probable that many past and present civilizations are facing this same problem. The Apollo missions were powered by less energy than a present-day calculator. Energy is not a problem, but the funding for our space programs is vital. In 10-30 years, there is to be over five nations colonizing the moon and, possibly, Mars. This will be one small leap for man, and a larger leap for mankind.

Time: Differences - and Happy New Year!

2009-01-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

Time is woven into the fabric of space; it is there, wherever you are. Though depending on where you are, time may be different. Here on Earth, there are 60 minutes in an hour, and 24 hours in a day. On Mars, there are 24 of our hours in 1 day. While our days last 24 hours, Jupiter's last only 10! Venus's days are longer than its year, and Mercury's year is only 50 earth days. So Happy New Year.... wherever you are.

Let There Be Light

2008-12-29T21:06:00.000-08:00

How might life forms evolve at different distances from a star? If a planet revolved around a red dwarf star at Mercury's distance, there might be life on it. If a planet revolved around a blue giant at the distance of Saturn or Uranus, there might be life there. How would life forms be affected by the different wavelengths and frequencies its parent star give off? An alien life form might have different senses than other lifeforms. It would detect heat and sounds, running from predators and hunting for prey. It might also communicate by interupting these different frequencies with other sounds. One way an alien might even survive is by using photosynthesis and absorbing different types of radiation for energy. But some creatures might avoid utilizing these forms of radiation, forming defenses and protection. They might form a hard, thick shell and burrow underground. How might different alien life forms live amidst radiation?

Anti-Aliens - Can aliens be made of anti-matter?

2008-12-19T10:03:00.000-08:00

Yin and Yang, opposites of each other. Yet you need both to have perfection. Could there be such a thing as aliens made up of anti-matter? It is possible, and many scientists believe this. Skeptics say that anti-matter species could not exist in this universe - but we only know so little about the universe. Could there be minute specimens of antimatter which have no contact at all with matter? If so, then the scientific inquiries of quantum physics and all other sciences previously explored will have to be reexamined. But could there be anti-life?

Transformers: Is Mechanical Life Possible?

2008-12-18T10:24:00.000-08:00

In the movie Transformers aliens that are not based on amino acids exist. Is it possible? It could happen, theoretically. If chemicals interacted with certain life-forming substances, then it could create metals that could possibly reproduce. Lifeforms made of metals and rock could go anywhere, and wouldn't have to worry about any atmospheres. All they would have to worry about is temperatures, gravity and pressure. Otherwise, they would literally melt. Do you think that mechanized lifeforms could exist?

Terraforming: How May Native Organisms Be Affected?

2008-12-17T12:21:00.001-08:00

Before, I told of how terraforming may affect humans and the planet itself. But what of the native aliens that may possibly exist? We do not know how industrialized wastes may mutate them, or how heat may affect them, or even if water, the building block of earth life, may make them change. Any single-celled life will reproduce quickly enough to possibly adapt to a new environment, and a few multi-cellular lifeforms may survive. But how will any new aliens evolve? they will have to reproduce quickly, producing many generations in succession. The aliens will have to create new respiration systems, new immune systems.... almost everything their ancestors have adapted to will have to be changed, and quickly if they want to survive. Terraforming, if there is native life on a planet, will change the entire face of a planet.

Terraforming: Morals

2008-12-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

In the future, if we survive, we will have to travel to Mars, Jupiter and other planets. Some people will want to live in large, sci-fi space domes. Others will want to terraform. What is terraforming? Terraforming is the process by which a body in space is altered to a different state, or one like our Earth's. What are the dangers or morals of terraforming a planet? Some dangers include accidentily altering the planet in the way you don't want to, putting it into an eternal ice age or global warming epidemic, like Venus. Scientists and other groups will want to keep the native "habitat" and research it. These groups will include the environmentalists, alarmists and (possibly, though not likely) politicians. These people will hold technology back, not allowing any "contaminants" from Earth to land and take root. The idea of terraformation has come up many times in history; when will it finally happen?

New Levels of Intelligence

2008-12-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

Humans have reached a critical stage in their evolution. We have invented the nuclear bomb, have invented electricity and have begun the space age. Our populations are soaring, and we are reaching heights never achieved by any (known) prior lifeforms on this planet. Though now we are polluting the earth, caring nothing about recycling and green energy. Does intelligence have new meaning? By my personal definition, intelligence is the ability to use your natural resources and be able to create new things out of them. Some "intelligent" species include the octopus, the chimp, the ant, the bee, and the human. Though humans have created many, many new things. Now, intelligence carries a new meaning. It is now defined as using logic and thought to spread your recources to all the population evenly. We are making many species endangered, like fish and many other food resources. Might other alien species have reached the same problems we have reached now?

Becoming a Civilization: Obstacles and Problems

2008-12-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

For us humans, our point of civilization began with fire. From there our technologies progressed to the wheel, farming and social structures. Though would an alien civilization begin differently? They might live in a different environment which would have diferent forms of life, different climates and different rotational periods. If they lived in a very hot climate, their technologies would revolve around water or a cool liquid. If the aliens live in the ocean, then their technologies might revolve around propulsion or movement. If any aliens had no prey, then they would focus on defensive technology. If aliens lived on a body like the moon or Mercury, then life may be a cycle of being dormant and surviving. Some cycles may be so short that only microbial life can sustain itself. There are many diverse environments in our universe; we cannot expect the same type of civilizations to arise everywhere.

How Gravity Affects Life

2008-12-12T10:04:00.000-08:00

Gravity can change the way things evolve. On a large, very dense planet there will be a larger gravitational force. Any lifeforms there will be denser, and much more heavyset. They will possibly be small in size. They will need that to withstand the great pressures on the surface. On a small planet, the size of Mercury or Mars, lifeforms will be more exotic. Aliens may be larger, though have much less density. Their bodily functions will vary, depending on the amount of gravity. On a light-gravity planet life forms may have a porous skin, so they can move faster. How do you think gravity has affected evolution on our planet?

Size Does Matter!

2008-12-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

When looking for planets with life, it is a good idea to keep the size of the planets in mind. Small planets, no matter how small, can still host life. Though super-large planets will have a less likely chance of having life on them, they will still be more restricted on the types if life. The larger a body, the stronger its gravitational pull is. Life forms may be crushed by gravity. Life forms can exist with little gravity. Microbes can even exist without gravity! So size does matter.

What is the Temperature Limit for Life?

2008-12-11T12:46:00.000-08:00

Life as we know it on Earth can only live actively in a temperature range of -50-135 degrees fahreheit. Certain species may be able to survive this, except they will only be able to remain in a dormant state. Below this post I said that it is too hot for life. Is it? Can aliens possibly be adapted to temperatures? This is probable, except there would probably be an established temperature range designated at the beginning stages of evolution. This would be affected by enviornment, chemistry and the bodily processes of the organism. Once evolution has continued past the multi-cellular organism stage, life will not be as able to adapt to different temperatures. Their evolution and genetic codes will become more complex, designating certain enviornments in which something can live.

Does Life Need Water to Exist?

2008-12-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

Our scientists speculate that many moons orbiting other planets may harbor life. But these moons and planets have ice on them. Mars has carbon dioxide in its ice, and Europa has methane ice. Triton has a form of liquid water that flows from "volcanoes". But what about other bodies? Venus may have microbes on its surface, and Jupiter may have hugs gasbags that are alive. There also microbes which could easily survive the vacuum of space, existing right here on Earth! Whenever we think about life, we think of life like our own here on Earth. But other life forms will differ from our own, from different bodily fuctions to entirely different amino acid combinations. Us humans just have to keep an open mind.

Traces of Carbon Dioxide Found in Exoplanetary Atmosphere

2008-12-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

Traces of carbon dioxide, one of the building blocks of life, has been found on a planet orbiting another star. Even though it orbits its parent star in 2.2 days, and it is too hot for life, it is still an exciting discovery. Previous observations of this planet have shown traces of water vapor and methane in its atmosphere. This discovery was made using the Hubble Space telescope and the Spitzer space telescope. Also, this is the first time a near-infrared emission spectrum has been used to see an exoplanet.

Picture of the Swan Nebula

2008-12-10T12:29:00.000-08:00

Nebulae more violent than thought

2008-12-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

Images from Nasa's Spitzer telescope show streams of gas flowing around stars at speeds of up to 4.2 million miles per hour. This is the Swan Nebula, about 6,000 light-years away. These stellar winds are intense because of the many stars forming in a close area. This is just more proof that stars do not form in a calm, quiet nursery.

Alien Languages and Speech

2008-11-27T09:13:00.000-08:00

Last night I watched Star Trek, in an episode where the aliens spoke English, except they spoke in metaphors. In reality, aliens would not speak English. In fact, they might not even have earth-like vocal cords. Aliens might have liquid in their bodies which emanates noise outwards. They might communicate in ultra-high or ultra-low frequencies, or use telepathy. Aliens could use sign languages or movements to say things. If humans find alien life, we might not be able to ever understand them. We may find out how these aliens communicate, but we might not understand them.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

What Might Affect Alien Life?

2008-11-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

Location, Location, Location. It might not matter on how far from a star the planet/moon is, but on how geologically active it is. Triton, a moon orbiting around Neptune over 2 billion miles away from the sun, may support bacterial life forms. Triton is home to a deep system of hydrothermal vents, with ammonia ice slush on the surface and warmer, possibly liquid soup in its interior. Io is the most volcanically active body in our solar system, with its molten surface always changing due to the intense gravitational pull of Jupiter. Europa may have a vast ocean under its surface, though we do not know how earth-like life may breathe here. Mars, a likely candidate, was likely to have had previous life; any present life is deep under the surface. Venus may host many species of extremophiles living off of its carbon atmosphere. Triton has many methane lakes larger than Lake Michigan, and "snow" that creates dunes over 7 x the size of those on Earth. These diverse enviornments may harbor life very different from our own.

Extremophiles - Food for thought

2008-11-24T20:41:00.000-08:00

We have found many diverse life forms on our planet. The hardiest of all life forms on Earth are a group of bacteria called extremophiles. Last year scientists thawed out bacteria over 50 thousand years old; the bacteria, after unfrozen, was alive! This shows that life, even on Earth, are prepared for harsh conditions. There are many variants of bacteria that live near melting lava, grow in 7,000 degree F, and underground under enough pressure to crush a human being. One bacteria, found over two miles underground, is able to withstand over 1,500 X the radiation of a nuclear bomb. Another is able to breathe not oxygen, but carbon dioxide. Our life forms here on Earth are diverse; how complex might other life forms be?