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alright well a few of my buddies were talking the other night, and one of them was saying that some how scientist have evidence that somewhere out in the universe there is another planet just like ours. that theres thinking beings who look, think and live just like us, just that there thousands or maybe millions of light years away....whats ur guyses thoughts on this?
There's no evidence at all.... But, if you look at the odds, you'd come up with that same conclusion...
It's kinda like what you think the odds are that a coin flipped in the air would come up heads 1,000's and 1,000's of times in a row.
You'd say that it COULD happen, but probably WOULDN'T happen and you'd be right....
So, if you consider that we have BILLIONS of stars in our own galaxy, and that there are BILLIONS of galaxies out there, with BILLIONS of stars each, you'd probably come to the conclusion that there probably ARE other planets just like earth, and a LOT of them.
I think you'd be right. Yes, they're a long ways away from us, if they're there at all.
We don't have any real evidence of any earth-like planets out there...yet. Excon is completely right in talking about the likelihood of there being life out there. With the number of stars and galaxies, it is hard to think just how we could be alone.
It would be exciting, indeed, if there were other people out there like us, but it would take a planet forming in an EXTREMELY similar way to ours for this to happen. Humans, as it were, are a relatively new species to the planet, and we're only here because of some pretty amazing environmental changes that took billions upon billions of years.
An interesting side note to this is that, though Venus's surface area could not support sustainable life, we now have evidence that the atmosphere could. We just can't get close enough to see if it's there or not. Cloud-creatures, perhaps.
Yes, you are correct but that is the basis of the 'Drake Equation'. It is assumes that intelligent life is similar to what is found on our home planet. In other words, our earth has provided the opportunity for Homo Sapiens to reach a stage where we can think about other worlds. The assumption is that planets which are similar to earth will eventually produce intelligent life.
Life may well be found within our solar System, eg. Mars. If this turns out to be the case then it won't be intelligent. Yes, your are correct when you say that I am extrapolating from a single data point, but that is out best bet at the moment.
Yes, you are correct but that is the basis of the 'Drake Equation'. It is assumes that intelligent life is similar to what is found on our home planet. In other words, our earth has provided the opportunity for Homo Sapiens to reach a stage where we can think about other worlds. The assumption is that planets which are similar to earth will eventually produce intelligent life.
Life may well be found within our solar System, eg. Mars. If this turns out to be the case then it won't be intelligent. Yes, your are correct when you say that I am extrapolating from a single data point, but that is out best bet at the moment.
I guess my point to the OP is to point out that the drake equation is full of fudge factors that many people disagree on, because the only civilization we have to derive the data from is our own.
More can be read about it here, it IS very interesting, but realise there are some very valid criticisms:
You are right as usual Capuchin. The question will remain one of the great mysteries of the universe.
Speaking of mysteries that defy explanation. How on earth did you manage to win back The Ashes???
Carl Sagan once said that Earth is like a grain of sand on an infinite beach. Space goes on forever. FOREVER. We would be very close-minded to think that we're the ONLY ones in existence. There might be different planets in varied stages of development. More, and less, advanced than us. But doubtfully identical. Just like somewhere on our planet , there is someone who looks just like you. But they're not EXACTLY like you, with the same name, interests, etc.
You are right as usual Capuchin. The question will remain one of the great mysteries of the universe.
Speaking of mysteries that defy explanation. How on earth did you manage to win back The Ashes???
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