2006-12-19 12:50:07 · 12 answers · asked by hoopstar26301 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
So far we've seen no verifiable evidence of other sentient species. That said, I believe with some certainty that somewhere in our galaxy at some past, present, or future time, a sentient species did/does/will exist.
Why haven't we heard from them?
Perhaps they are not technologically advanced enough to be heard. They may be mastering stone knives right now, or experiencing their own Rennaisance.
Perhaps they are here right now. Any species sufficiently advanced to travel interstellar distances would be able to hide or masquerade with ease. That Boeing 737 that just flew by may be a surveillance craft.
Perhaps they are so far away they will never notice us and vice versa.
Perhaps they existed a million years ago and died out.
Perhaps they will exist a million years from now.
It is really impossible to know for sure.
The Drake Equation suggests that there is sentient life out there. The Fermi Paradox casts doubt. Play around with the calculation form at the second link and see what you think.
2006-12-19 14:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by Otis F 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Statisically, there has to be. I mean if only 1 planet in a 1000 could support life, and only 1 solar system in a 1000 could support that planet, and only 1 galaxy in 1000 could have that solar system, how many thousands of planets with life would that make? Considering that the universe is still expanding, and we haven't come close to cataloging almost any of it I think there must be life on other planets. But maybe the Christians have it right and we're all alone. "sigh"
2006-12-19 15:21:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is moot.
We have no reason to believe that life couldn't have arisen of another of the zillions of rocks in the Universe.
BUT
We have no means by which to go, find one, and take its picture or bring a sample back as proof.
Until one of them lands on the Whitehouse lawn and demands to see our leader, then we will never know one way or the other.
2006-12-19 12:55:56 · answer #3 · answered by chocolahoma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I believe does not matter because either way, I do not have proof or any reason to be 100% sure. Unless life is discovered elsewhere, nobody has any right to say that it does or does not exist.
Maybe there is; Maybe there isn't.
On a humorous side note, look up "All your base are belong to us".
2006-12-19 12:57:11 · answer #4 · answered by nickel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. That is the reason why when probes go to space they have to be completely 100 percent germ free. The scientists are afraid to start new life but they easily could.
2006-12-19 16:10:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely
2006-12-19 14:55:50 · answer #6 · answered by Johnny Handsome 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who really knows? I wonder if you entered another galaxy, there could be another planet earth (or something like it), and it could have mirror images of us humans.
2006-12-19 12:57:12 · answer #7 · answered by bluenitrogennight 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do. I mean it's a pretty big universe, just seems like a waste of space if there weren't other life forms.
2006-12-19 12:54:56 · answer #8 · answered by some teenager 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course there is. How many times shall we answer such question?
We can't be an exception in an infinite universe... all created just for us. Our importance has limits!
2006-12-19 12:57:57 · answer #9 · answered by PragmaticAlien 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2006-12-19 12:58:48 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋