I'm working on an assignment for English class. My thesis is : It is possible that life exists on planets other than Earth. If you agree with me, could you help me out by giving me three good reasons to argue my point? Thanks a lot in advance.
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(1) There are approximately one hundred billion galaxies in the known Universe, each containing an approximate average of one hundred billion stars. If you then consider that most of these stars are likely to have planets, then we would be naive to believe we are the only planet out of trillions that could sustain life.
(2) Look at the diversity of life on Earth. From organisms that live by the boiling hot funnels deep in the ocean beds, to those that survive deep under the frozen Arctic. All of the millions of weird and wonderful creatures and organisms just on Earth. If life can exist in so many diverse forms on Earth alone, in a variety of extreme conditions, then surely it has to spring up elsewhere?
(3) Amino acids, the basic building blocks of life, have been found in meteors from deep space. Therefore, there is a strong argument to say that not only could life exist elsewhere, but in fact life came to Earth originally from Outer Space!
Good luck with your thesis!
(2) Look at the diversity of life on Earth. From organisms that live by the boiling hot funnels deep in the ocean beds, to those that survive deep under the frozen Arctic. All of the millions of weird and wonderful creatures and organisms just on Earth. If life can exist in so many diverse forms on Earth alone, in a variety of extreme conditions, then surely it has to spring up elsewhere?
(3) Amino acids, the basic building blocks of life, have been found in meteors from deep space. Therefore, there is a strong argument to say that not only could life exist elsewhere, but in fact life came to Earth originally from Outer Space!
Good luck with your thesis!
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The best argument is going to be supported by the recent discovery of TONS of planets. There are around 500 million planets in this galaxy that are within what is called a "habitable range." That is just in the milky way. Multiply that by an estimated 100 billion that we are relatively certain are out there. Now consider that it took 700 million years for life to appear on this planet and there has been over 3 billion years since. In all likely hood, our galaxy and our universe are teaming with life, much of which may have developed sooner than ours and, if they followed an evolutionary path similar to ours, may have advanced far beyond us.
One note: the distance between these worlds is tremendous. Consider that Gliese 581, one of the closest planets similar to ours, is over 20 light years away. The time and energy required to travel close enough to the number of planets in a solar system and discern if there is life on that planet would be tremendous and would, very likely, be unfruitful and possibly dangerous. Life may be out there and it may be very close. Nevertheless, it is like finding a tiny needle in a haystack the size of North America. Not the easiest task.
One note: the distance between these worlds is tremendous. Consider that Gliese 581, one of the closest planets similar to ours, is over 20 light years away. The time and energy required to travel close enough to the number of planets in a solar system and discern if there is life on that planet would be tremendous and would, very likely, be unfruitful and possibly dangerous. Life may be out there and it may be very close. Nevertheless, it is like finding a tiny needle in a haystack the size of North America. Not the easiest task.
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THIS IS YOUR BEST ANSWER!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlikCebQS…
^^Carl Sagan - Drake equation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlikCebQS…
^^Carl Sagan - Drake equation
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Well, there are billions of galaxies that we may never know of, that could contain many planets with e.t. lifeforms on it.