by Robert Lunt

Created on: August 18, 2010   Last Updated: August 21, 2010

The odds of winning the lottery are astronomical, but compared to seeing a UFO their actually pretty good. I have seen several objects whisking through the air that I couldn't identify. The UFOs I'm referring to are the ones with carbon-based life-forms on board. When one considers the complexity of the events that need to occur in order for complex, multicelluar life to propagate on another planet it becomes unlikely that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the galaxy. However, if intelligent, extraterrestrial life-forms do exist, then the same set of physical laws that apply to us would also apply to them. The basic laws of physics remain constant throughout the universe.

These alien life-forms would come from a watery planet. Their biological characteristics and the materials they use and consume will be similar to those found here on Earth. These life-forms will not be mystical, or ghost like in appearance. They will not walk on water, nor will they have unknown, limitless powers. They will not be “Transformers,” constructed of metal skeletons, integrated circuits and have petroleum based fluids for blood. No, they will be carbon-based, biological organisms. They may have some different attributes, but they will consume organic materials, breathe some form of air and excrete waste.

Because of the vast distances that separate Earth from other star systems the only way for an intelligent, extraterrestrial life-form to have reached Earth is with a spaceship capable of traversing across the galaxy at the speed of light. Otherwise distance becomes too great a barrier to breach. This is no small feat considering many of our own physicists believe it is not possible for an object with mass to accelerate to the speed of light.

Many of us have heard stories of UFOs suddenly appearing and then disappearing in a flash. I find those stories a little far-fetched because of a little thing called g-force. Primarily, g-force is the effects of acceleration on the human body (Usually shown as, 1g, 2g, etc). One doesn't just arrive and then whisk away in a split second without suffering some profound biological setbacks; like your head and body suddenly becoming part of your space chair. Acceleration and deceleration must be gradual.

The speed of light is 671 million MPH. The human body can endure an acceleration comfort level of 1g over a prolonged period. At that rate it would take 347 days to get a spaceship up to  light speed and an additional 347 days

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>