2007-02-04 07:52:16 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Since you asked this in the astronomy and space forum, I'll give you a scientific answer - rather than Billy-Bob's abduction story.
It is almost an impossibility, given the billions of other galxaxes in our known universe, to assume that we are the only planet to have developed life forms. That being said, it is also almost an impossibility that we have been visited (at least within our own human history) by any life form from another galaxie.
Unfortunately, unless we discover a way to cover great distances in a reasonable amount of time, the distances and time involved with "visiting" other galaxies and planets, even at the speed of light, makes it highly unlikely that we will ever be able to even communicate with another life form.
We have been sending out RF signals for a century now - that's covering a radius of 100 light years from our earth - and that's an effective 50 light year distant signal if we allow time for a return signal - and so far, nothing. I know this is a relatively small sampling of our universe, but it is still discouraging at best.
The best analogy to the distances involved I have ever come across is this:
If we scale the size of our sun down to the size of a period on a typewritten page, our nearest star (Proxima Centuari) would be 8 miles away!
There are about 40 stars within 16 light years from earth. If we were to transmit an RF signal and it was received by a planet, say 300 light years away - they wouldn't recieve it until the year 2307, and our great, great , great grandchildren wouldn't get a return signal until 2607! And it's not likely that other life forms will be this "close."
No, I think it's a pretty good bet that we haven't been visited.
2007-02-04 08:27:11 · answer #1 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure we are being visited. Given the size of the universe it'd be kinda asinine to think otherwise.
2007-02-04 16:01:01 · answer #2 · answered by mogwai_b4_midnite 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes i think that might be one reason why someof us have super powers(even if the super poweris reallly lame/hay its one small step towards the big picture)
2007-02-04 15:58:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Take my brother-in-law (please). He's really spaced out.
2007-02-04 15:56:24 · answer #4 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋