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8 answers

The answer is "most likely." We can infer the presence of fairly complex organic (carbon-bearing) molecules in cold molecular clouds drifting in interstellar space by their contribution to the cloud's spectrum. Furthermore, we some organic molecules in cometary bodies and other left-over debris from the formation of the solar system.

We also know that the planets here had a lot of this stuff either delivered to the surface in the form of comets, or spewed out by volcanic activity in the past (one need only point a good pair of binoculars at the Moon to see the record of these ancient impacts They're called craters.)

We also know that planets at the right distance from their parent stars, and of the right mass to hold on to their water, will tend to have surface water on them, for some fraction of their history. The Spirit and Opportunity rovers on Mars, as well as the current crop of orbiters, have unearthed geology that could only have formed in the presence of large quantities of water. Even icy moons of gas giants can have liquid water deep in their interiors. Three of the four large moons of Jupiter have slushy or watery mantles. Europa is suspected to have a deep water ocean under an icy crust that bears an eerie resemblance to terrestrial pack-ice. Saturn's moon of Titan seems to have volcanoes that belch water and methane, and the smaller moon of Enceladus spew water vapor into space from a slushy or watery mantle.

When you combine organic substances in a suitable solvent, like water, and put it in the right environment (say, porous rock or clay deep under the ocean) with appropriate energy input (say, heat from geothermal sources. Maybe not sunlight in tidal pools. Solar UV radiation tends to do a number on organic molecules,) and let them react for a long enough time, eventually you get self-replicating molecules and/or spheres with lipid/oil skins.

These self-replicators will then be selected for their durability and ability to replicate . . . i.e. the better self-replicators will out-compete lesser self-replicators for organic materials. Eventually, you get self-replicating organic molecules inside fatty shells (those spheres in the last paragraph.) These are the first cells, which can out-compete any unprotected self-replicators, and eventually will compete with each other, gradually gaining traits which make them more able to out-compete cruder lines of primitive cells.

All this, given fossil evidence here on Earth, only takes a couple hundred million years from the time permanent oceans can form on the planet. (Earth formed 4.6 - 4.5 billion years ago. The first identifiable micro-fossils come from 3.8 billion years ago.) Since chemistry is dictated by physics, and since physics don't change across the universe (otherwise observation of distant galaxies and stars would not come anywhere near matching what we'd expect from theory,) we can say that life has a pretty good chance of taking hold anywhere where the conditions are suitable enough (and 'suitable' has a huge range of definitions, given the discovery of so-called extremophiles,) for long enough.

Mind you, most of it will probably be alien bacteria and algae. The planet spent the next three billion years dominated by algae, until enough free oxygen existed in the atmosphere that complex life and its higher energy requirements could develop.

Now if by "aliens" you mean something slightly more exciting than green slime, then you'd have to refer to Drake's Equation, which attempts to estimate the number of civilizations in the galaxy that are currently capable of broadcasting communications signals.

2007-01-31 08:48:19 · answer #1 · answered by Sam D 3 · 0 0

The Bible says there is. We call them aliens and E.T.s - but the Bible calls some of the Angels and Demons - also there is mention of sentient beings with animal like features that speak that dwell in the heavens.

Some fly with wings, some don't, and there are a few passages of which the author's statements could be interpreted as witnessing UFOs.

Elijah was taken up in a Chariot of Fire. This could be a space craft. I mean - the author and witnesses at that time could only use terminology and descriptions limited by comparing elements with known elements of their time. A conveyance of some sort whisked Elijah away.

Then there was the transportation device that was seen by the biblical prophet, Ezekiel (see chapter one of the book of Ezekiel, Old Testament).

While there is no physical proof of extraterrestrials - there are just enough reliable and professional witnesses to make it credible. There are some circumstantial evidences - but these cant be used for scientific varification.., even though there are peculiar scientific findings. Go figure. Even science refuses to acknowledge them though they do find unexplained evidence to deal with. In other words they want to find alternate explanations other than what deals with the unknown.

I would expect if an alien landed at the White House - stood on steps of the White House ala "The Day The Earth Stood Still".., there would be people calling it a hoax, a midget in a alien suit... blah blah blah.

2007-01-31 08:07:24 · answer #2 · answered by Victor ious 6 · 0 0

Does it really matter if aliens exist? I think not but the best way for you to answer your own question is answer this question, are you a creationist or and epicurean that believes in evolution,
if creation, then yes because a Living God that can create the complexities of life here and monitor it can also do so anywhere else in this or any other universe, but if you were of the creation belief - you would not be asking about aliens becasue it would not matter, as for the evolutionist then no because the extreme high rate of multiple simultaneous random mutations, which still does not mathematically work out, required just to spontaneouslly develope life here, are to the billionth power greater (76 trillion:1 to the billionth power) for the most part rule out any probablity that it can spaontaneously happen again anywhere else.

2007-01-31 08:09:27 · answer #3 · answered by chazzn101 4 · 0 2

There may be but not only is the Universe vast but it is old. There could have been plenty of alien civilizations that flourished and have since bit the dust. The odds that we will meet another civilization while we still exist is very remote

2007-01-31 08:04:27 · answer #4 · answered by johnietoth 2 · 1 0

I find it hard to believe that there isn't some form of life out there. However, I don't think they've made it to Earth yet.

The universe is so vast, I would assume that there is at least one other planet out there with conditions capable of containing life.

2007-01-31 07:53:43 · answer #5 · answered by dennisjohns23 3 · 1 0

Scientists do no longer assume something. in certainty, there are a number of possibilities that are seen. although, we in basic terms have functional assessments for existence that sounds like our variety of existence. different a risk ecosystem contain distinctive solvents (e.g. liquid methane) that artwork at distinctive temperatures. What we do be attentive to is that the cost of chemical reactions is without postpone suitable to temperature (speed drops via 0.5 for each 20 C drop). Methane existence, if it exists, may well be excruciatingly sluggish. Silicon develop into long seen as a a risk foundation for existence (Silicon is of the comparable valence relatives as Carbon and can type chains). although, if a Silicon have been to respire in oxygen (a gas), it would might desire to breath out SiO2, an excellent. That complicates issues lots. additionally, Silicon chains are greater fragile (the atom is larger, for this reason the bonds are weaker) so as that they might smash down at lots decrease temperature. etc. For a majority of those motives, maximum human beings focus our efforts on greater effectual information this variety of existence that (we expect of) we comprehend: carbon chains, oxygen ecosystem and water because of the fact the solvent. As we greater effectual comprehend different ecosystem (later) we'd flow decrease back to reading them. For now, each and every time we discover something new approximately the different ones, it particularly diminishes the threat that they might exist. --- @pluton007: there already is sufficient nutrition on earth. the real concern is that the worldwide places that have the nutrition (like us) have desperate that we are unlikely to share it, for concern that it ought to reason a drop in cost and shrink our earnings margin. comparable element for oil: there are lots of possibilities, yet maximum of them are no longer controlled via our considerable oil agencies... and we the folk nonetheless enable them to make the regulations. NASA (or clinical analyze) budgets initially got here from the protection funds. besides the fact that funds is stored in those budgets is going decrease back to creating bombs. yet those are matters for various categories (usually Politics).

2016-11-01 23:47:01 · answer #6 · answered by englin 4 · 0 0

We're the alien's that's why we are the only intelligent life,noone know's so i ask the same question.

2007-01-31 08:45:15 · answer #7 · answered by Jonathan Mitchell 3 · 0 0

I doubt it.

2007-01-31 07:52:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

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