The science behind the probability of extraterrestrials

[MrFun]

I have seen the speculative documentary recently on the National Geographic channel about the probability of extraterrestrials.

In this documentary, astronomers and biologists use computer technology to speculate on, and then design, possible life-sustaining types of planets and moons and then designing different life forms that could evolve and live there.

I thought it was fascinating.


For those who have seen this show, what are your thoughts? And I would be interested in hearing other ideas from Apolyton's amateur astronomers and biologists on different possible ecosystems and lifeforms.

Here is something to start off with. The linked Wikipedia article below explains why lifeforms would be less likely with silicon or ammonia elements. Does anyone disagree and think differently?

Building blocks for lifeforms

[Dis]

I don't even believe human life is possible. The improbable sequence of events for a complex organism such as homo sapiens to form on a world in just the right place at just the right time with just the right events is just astronomical.

So forgive me, if I don't believe in aliens.

[MrFun]

Actually, when talking about extraterrestrials, we can talk about any lifeform -- from the most primitive, microbe extraterrestrial to the most technogically and socially advanced complex lifeform.

[Zkribbler]

Drat, In knew it was coming but I missed that National Geo. show.

As an aside, I do like Carl Sagan's speculation about balloon-like creatures floating around in the atmosphere of gas giants, dining on primordial neutriants churned up from lower down....but that's a whole different show.

[MrFun]

Not to mention the fact that nearly all of the universe's basic elements come from stars, including elements on which life came to form from here on Earth.

So given that there are countless stars throughout the universe, all it would really take is water and the right type of planet at the right distance from the right type of star. And given the vastness of the universe, even these prerequisites are not out of reach.



EDIT: cross-posting

[DRoseDARs]

I watched as much of that infantile program as I could bare to watch. While the subject doesn't bother me in the least, the way NGS presented the program left me constantly expecting Big Bird to come on-screen saying, "Today's program is brought to you by the letter 'E'."

[MrFun]

What didn't you like about the program?

Not everyone is an expert astronomer or biologist -- they had to talk in lay terms, and even then, they certainly weren't talking down to anyone.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Dissident
I don't even believe human life is possible. The improbable sequence of events for a complex organism such as homo sapiens to form on a world in just the right place at just the right time with just the right events is just astronomical.

So forgive me, if I don't believe in aliens.

C'mon Diss, you're better than this..

[DRoseDARs]

No, not the details presented in lay terms, but the presentation itself. Worf kept repeating the same points over and over, but with different wording each time. I couldn't stand watching the rest of Blue Moon because of it. What really irritates me about these kinds of presentations is when they show the same animated clips over and over as well every few minutes. It drives home the point that the producer of the program in question spared no expense to make as cheap a program as they could while still vainly grasping at the appearance of "Ooo, far out man. This program is so funky-fresh, dog."

[Boris Godunov]

Diss, look up the anthropic principal and you might understand why your assertion is patently absurd.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Diss, look up the anthropic principal and you might understand why your assertion is patently absurd.

(sorry Diss)

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Diss, look up the anthropic principal and you might understand why your assertion is patently absurd.

I will provide the link in case Ned is lazy.


lack of imagination-based arguments

[Drake Tungsten]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Diss, look up the anthropic principal and you might understand why your assertion is patently absurd.

****, why don't we bring intelligent design into the discussion as well?

[MrFun]

Originally posted by DRoseDARs
No, not the details presented in lay terms, but the presentation itself. Worf kept repeating the same points over and over, but with different wording each time. I couldn't stand watching the rest of Blue Moon because of it. What really irritates me about these kinds of presentations is when they show the same animated clips over and over as well every few minutes. It drives home the point that the producer of the program in question spared no expense to make as cheap a program as they could while still vainly grasping at the appearance of "Ooo, far out man. This program is so funky-fresh, dog."

I found some of the repitition annoying to, but not to the extent that I could enjoy the rest of the program.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
****, why don't we bring intelligent design into the discussion as well?

Well, that's essentially what Diss is asserting...