3 of 42

Write now Article Tools

Life may yet be found on other planets, however, it will be either far more advanced than us or more likely, far less developed. 261 Earth like planets with atmospheres have been discovered in 216 star systems since 1991. The more Earth-like planets discovered increases the chances of life being discovered.

All direct searches for signals from other intelligent beings (SETI-the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) have found nothing to date Calculating the chances of succeeding in our searches are well defined.

Life, as we can understand it is based on the Carbon atom, it follows that life, wherever it exists must be based on Carbon or complex Carbon molecules. In our Solar System, perhaps only the Earth is suited to complex, intelligent life forms.

A life sustaining planet must have an atmosphere with sufficient free Oxygen, it must have a solid (or possibly liquid) surface, there must be adequate supplies of water, a reasonable temperature and a long period over which conditions do not change dramatically. These conditions are fully supplied by the Earth but by no other body in the Solar System. Other conditions, for instance a regular alternation of day and night seems advantageous. Temperature is crucial particularly where a planet orbits when it is neither too hot nor cold is illustrated by Venus (too hot) and Mars (too cold), Earth is just right, just like baby bear's porridge, the Goldilock's zone or ecosphere.

Our Galaxy has 100 billion stars, most single stars have planets leaving us with around forty billion solar systems. How many of these stars are in the Goldilock's zone or ecosphere?

Evidence suggests just one, so, we have 20 billion suitably placed planets, however Gas Giants are frequently found in the ecosphere thereby excluding life.

5 billion planets could sustain life. Could this life lead to intelligent beings with whom we could communicate? Man cannot travel to other planets in our solar system because he cannot travel at 320,000kms per hour (186,000 miles fer hour-the speed of light).

Radio waves sent to the star Epsilon Eridani in 2007 will arrive there in 2017, so, a reply is expected in 2027! The vastness of space is quite beyond our understanding. Man have been broadcasting radio waves into space since 1920, so, anyone within 80 light years has detected our noise.

Learn more about this author, Hibernianscribe.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Could there be life on other planets??
We want to hear your view. Write now!