Is there life on other planets?

Thousands of reports of UFO sightings come in yearly, hundreds of thousands over the last twenty years or so (1). Can it really be that none of these are genuine? A quick search online produces thousands of hits: not of only of pictures or videos, but also of detailed accounts that simply cannot be scientifically explained.

Sceptics are those who have not had an ‘extra-terrestrial’ experience or are desperate for everything to have a scientific explanation. Of the thousands of reports, surely at least some of them are true.

EDIT: One way to strengthen this argument would be to rewrite it as an argument that didn’t involve UFO sightings. Yes, there is life on other planets. No, that doesn’t mean they would visit us. Sorry, but while science supports life on other worlds, UFO nuts are, well, nuts. Your crazy. I’m sure your mother told you that before you moved out and bought that trailer in crazy-drug-addled-hippy-ville.

Using the law of probabilities; it is very probable that there is life out there.
We simply cannot be the only ones in the Universe. Think how big the Universe is. It is so vast that we are unable to measure it, and it may be even bigger than our own estimations. Our own Galaxy, the Milky Way has about 200 billion other Suns! Our Solar System is located in one of the Milky Way’s outer spiral arms, the Orion Arm, and we are in a lonely part of the Galaxy, known as the Local Bubble. And contrary to what religions may have taught, the Earth is not in the centre of the Universe. And while I’m at it – has anyone seen any estimation of where Heaven may be? Do you get the picture, the vastness out there simply makes it too improbable that a part of our Galaxy, amongst possibly at least another 100, 000 million galaxies in the Universe, has the only planet capapble of harbouring life!

Also, just because we can’t seem to keep hold of evidence, or governments can’t, or are hiding truths, does not mean UFO’s and alien have not visited us. It is probable that some may look like us, whilst others may not. It is probable that their technological development may be so far advanced, that it can avoid radar detection, conversely some alien life may not be as developed as ours. Tangible proof does not mean none of the above is untrue. Would the sceptics believe all of this, if say, governments admit to cover-ups, or if a leading Prime Minister or President admits there is life out there and we have proof?

We as human beings are so vain to believe that we stand alone in the cosmos as the only intellegent beings. The earth is surrounded with an atmosphere, so it’s like a bubble in space, like a bubble in the oceans. So imagin all the bubbles in the all the oceans. Do you really believe that out of all the bubbles we are the only bubble that supports life?

Now if you believe that maybe life does exist on other planets, (bubbles in space) don’t you think, maybe that life on their planet started millions of years before ours did. And they are very advanced in tecnology. and can travel in space as we travel our skys. And they study us as we study our indigenous animals of our planet. The higher your intellengence, the more likely you are to believe in life elsewhere.

We are brought up our whole life either believing, or not believing. As a child, we believe in Father Christmas, the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny (until someone shatters the illusion of course). Some individuals live their lives by religion, believing in a certain creation story, a certain God. Others choose not to.

In a society riddled with scientific explanations and new technology, those who choose to believe in the supernatural: ghosts, aliens, life-after-death, are scoffed at. Just because there is no evidence that deems it true and accepted, means believers will always be ridiculed.

I believe that there is definitely life on other planets.If there is one thing that I and scientists are certain about, is that there is no advanced life like ourselves, that exists off Earth in the Solar System. Whether its as big as extraterestrial life, or as small as bacteria there IS life on other planets because “Off all the places in the Solar System that may support life, Mars and Jupiter’s moon Europa may eventually confirm without doubt, that life exists or used to exist elsewhere than planet Earth. While Mars may reveal the expected microbes, Europa holds the exciting possibility that more developed life forms may exist there… ” http://www.theguardians.com/Microbiology/gm_mbm71.htm. Authored by mona23

The Word Alien derives from something foreign.. The fact that the Universe is so large we can’t even comprehend the distances involved (Its further than we can actually see as the Universe apparently expanded faster than the speed of light) why is it not possible that through random chance one of the billion billion billion billion billion etc planets out there has not somehow randomly chanced on creating a life that is not on earth. We know planets similar to earth are out there so why they couldn’t have life seems a bit of a mystery..

Could it be infinitely large? If the universe has an edge, what is beyond the edge? And if the universe had a beginning, what was going on before that? Our experience of the everyday world does not prepare us to grasp the concept of an infinite universe. Scientists are still looking out there: how do they know what is over the edge? Surely there must be something else out there?

Intuitively with that vast amount of space and planets, there must be life somewhere out there.

Do a few calculations on Drake’s equation and convince yourself. [1]

(Discussion whether extraterrestrial life has visited the earth is a whole discussion in itself, the question here is whether there is life on other planets or not.)

[1] http://www.activemind.com/Mysterious/Topics/SETI/drake_equation.html

Blue and Red Shift shows how space is expanding and contracting. If space is expanding and infinite, then infinite possibilities exist which makes life on other planets inevitable.

The mariner spacecraft that was launched in Mars in 1960’s has shown evidence that life outside the planet earth does exist. The photographs from the Mariner series of spacecraft, Mariner 6, Mariner 7 and Mariner 9 showed evidence that water once flowed in abundance on the Martian surface. Vast river systems, flooded plains and even ocean basins were in evidence.

Present theories about life on Mars also suggest that if it exists it will be microbial in nature and most probably nano-bacterial or archaean. There is almost no credence given to any ideas that Martian life will be any more complex than this. Good evidence that perhaps Martian life exists or at least, exited a long time ago has come from analysis of Martian meteorites, as well as the detailed examinations of the planet that have been carried out by the series of spacecraft that have visited.

Is there life on other planets, yes because there is a greater probability of life existing on another planet than earth being the exclusive vehicle for life. No one can deny that millions of galaxies, stars, planets and their moons exist in the universe. Earth acquired the right circumstances for life to thrive by mere chance. An old cliché states-even a broken clock is right twice a day, also more than one individual has won the California state lottery simultaneously, if history has thought us anything, it is that nothing is exclusive. If you agree with latter you surely must acknowledge that by mere chance there is higher probability of life existing somewhere in outer space, than there is of life being exclusive to earth. Life, the concept of life has shown it is not biased, it will thrive wherever and however it sees fit, after all it has transformed from single cell creatures to enormous dinosaurs to inquisitive humans. Even if analyze this topic through a religious stand point you cannot deny- life exist outside of this earth. Most religious believe in a Deity of some kind who rules in the heavens. If God , any God created the earth IT surely must have come or existed somewhere else besides earth, the Heavens are not located on earth therefore life exist in other planets, unless you can prove the location of your God here on earth. I didn’t think so. Whether you are logical or religious person you must acknowledge the probability of like existing outside of earth is more likely than the opposing argument, so there is only one sound side to take; life does exist on other planets. -Certo

For many years scientist believed that there’s life on Mars. Scientist have been testing their hypothesis by researching and inventing new technology to find an answer of whether there’s life on the solar sistem. In 2003, researchers mentioned the amount of ice on Mars during its winter and spring seasons. Furthermore, in that same year researchers monitored the amount of water-ice in Mars, this water-ice was more than 90% in some areas, which lead the researcher to belived that there could be life on Mars. For years we have been exposed to such statements on aliens visiting the earth. By visiting the internet we find images which demostrate unidentified flying objects which leads us to believed that theres life on other planets.

I understand that we have airplaines and other air crafts but what about those flying objects that not even scientist can explain?
By: 95

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/starsgalaxies/frozenworlds_prt.htm

In his book, “The Origin of Life”, the Russian scientist Aleksandr Ivanovich Oparin, theorized that the conditions present in planet Earth millions of years ago allowed for chemical reactions between the gases in the primitive atmosphere and stable isotopes of carbon, iron and sulfur, creating amino acids. Over the course of millions of years, these amino acids would combine into proteins and eventually into nucleic acids, the substance organic cells are made off. It’s simple basic chemistry, certain elements combine with each others under certain conditions (UV rays from the sun, high concentration of methane in the primitive atmosphere).

While he only applied his theory to this planet, we can deduct from it that the conditions needed for the synthesis of amino acids can exist in the vast majority of planets in our universe. Let’s just take a look at the way stars, planets and solar systems are created. By simple force of gravity, dust floating around in outer space and composed mainly of iron and carbon condenses into rocks that eventually crash into each others, every time producing heat and melting into larger rocks, until, after millions of years, all the dust has been taking in, no more crashes occur. At this point, the protoplanet cools down, a solid crust is created and the molten iron remains in the core. Let us remember the theory proposed by Oparin. What do we need to generate life out of inanimate matter? A hot and condensed atmosphere composed mostly of methane (a gas produced by volcanic activity from the planet’s core), we also need carbon, iron and sulfur, common minerals found in the space dust we mentioned earlier, finally,add some UV rays (coming from every single star in the universe and much more condensed in young planets due to the lack of a dense enough atmosphere). It’s not magic, there is no divine intervention, just a simple chemical reaction that can be easily replicated in a laboratory.

Although we do not have the advance technolgy yet to explrore further in space to find life,it does not mean that we won’t have the technology in the future. We have come along way on inventing new technology like cell phones , the internet and satelites, and it is possible for us to invent something that is going to find life in another planet. It is only a matter of time that we invent something that will travel further and faster into space to explore and find a new planet. There has been many futuristic movies where there is flying cars and other planets that are discover but also the technology in those movies is very advance that it could only be made up. Many of us many of us wonder if we are going to be alive to see another planet and flying cars. Our technology has increased rapidly over the centuries and is still continuing to grow and who knows maybe one day we will find life in another planet and even fly a car. veleze23

Scientists have found a planet that can support our species. That means there are other life on that planet as well. If scientists have found this planet keplar 22-b than i beleive there is life out there and we are not alone

Life in other planets is mainly narrowed down to evidence. Evidence we all seek to support our reasons of believing that there is such a plant in our solar system that has ever had some type life in the past. What we seem to surpass is the fact that those scientists are not looking for these so called “aliens”. They are looking to prove if such life existed in Mars or still exists now. Mars is very similar to earth which is why they believe there could be life in or there was life in Mars. Mars has terrain such as earth, unlike Jupiter or Saturn which is gas. It has weather, atmosphere and most importantly cracks and caves were life would and may be able to hide out. The second one is the evidence of water. If there is water there is life. Moreover, the existence of water has been proven by examining a soil sample that the Phoenix Mars Lander took. On January 15, 2009 NASA confirmed that there are pockets in Mars where large quantities of methane are coming out of on a seasonal basis. This is of huge interest to astrobiologists because organisms are what release earth’s methane as they digest nutrients. Whether it is biology or geology that is producing this methane it is being produced somehow. Once it is inserted into the atmosphere the wind will spread it within months or weeks. Two questions arise from these studies, what is creating this methane? And what is destroying it?

Written by: listenwell

Of course there must be life in other planets. So far it’s premature to have a solid result of the investigation of this matter due to the fact of exploration in some planets it still impossible. But here in earth we have thousands of videos where they show in UFO’s in different countries. People telling their experiences about what they saw on the sky. I know there are lots of UFO’s bogus videos and people making a few bucks selling their stories but it’s also arbitrary to think that all the videos and peoples experiences are not real. written by martz642

I think we should open our mind a little bit and think about what really makes the earth planet to have existing life? And what do we need to keep existing in our planet? Now let’s think the entire universe is huge and there are millions of galaxies with planets with the same or almost equal characteristics of the earth planet. Why we couldn’t accept life in other planets but only in this planet? And the other question is what makes us so special to be the unique species on this universe? The conception of life we have may be wrong in the concept that we need water and oxygen to survive, but for other kinds of life they may need different elements. written by martz642

just think about it for a second thing of a HUGE room like a stadiam, that stadiam is all of space. Now think of a single dust mote in that Stadiam. that dust mote is our entire solar system.

-Colleen

The UNIVERSE contains billions of galaxies, and each galaxy contains billions of stars. Of which contain several planets in each one. There is already an estimated number of OVER 1,000,000 intelligent civilizations in just our Milky Way Galaxy!!! We just have to look hard enough. Hell, who knows, maybe they are watching us right now saying how stupid we are for fighting like wild animals. Because that is what we act like. To say that we are truly alone would be itiousy because that is not logical.

Perhaps the reason that they lie is that they do not want to cause mass hysteria, or admit that something exists of which they know little about and cannot explain.

AND:

‘Why would the government lie to us’? Does anyone actually ask that and expect not to get a laugh in the face? The government would make that statement in order to sound knowledgeable and authoritative on the subject. Never mind that there’s no way on earth there’s any way they could know that. It’s like the government making an official declaration about the existence of God. The government. You’re serious, aren’t you.

AND:

Because the leaders of one pathetic little island on one pathetic little world haven’t ever seen an alien craft, one can conclude that there is no life anywhere else in the universe? I can’t even believe I’m arguing. That argument needs no counter.

Many photos can be explained. However, some cannot. Among the MoD’s records there is at least one case of a genuine UFO(1). This was a matter closed for the MoD and scientists have not picked up the task of identifying the flying object, perhaps because, as scientists they want to have a reason and explanation for everything, and they do not want to be associated with saying that there was a genuine unidentifiable flying object which science can prove or deny.

(1) http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/10/20/britain.ufo.sightings/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Yes, there are many crazy people out there, but there are also intelligent ones who know about all the explanations that exist and do still see things that cannot be explained. The head of the Mutual UFO Network receives 200 to 400 (1) reports of flying objects every month and acknowledges that many are hoaxes or mistaken beliefs. But, he does believe a small portion are credible sightings – roughly around 10% are visits from alien life and he believes the government knows about it.

(1) http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=98385&page=1

I hope that people would change the image that appears in their head when they think of life in other planets. I strongly believe that there is life in other planets but it does not consist of little green men with big black eyes who are out to dissect humanity. Life regardless of its shape and form is life! Life can develop in many types of environments and scientists are realizing that there are many elements that factor in this equation and that contrary to prior believe, life can evolve where we did not expect. Methane-which on Earth is produced mostly by organisms-has been found in Mars and this suggest that there could be life there. Scientists are debating what the actual source of the methane may be. Sushil Atreya from the University of Michigan remains optimistic and says, “Whatever the source, it indicates the presence of liquid water underground and that there is some type of activity going on, biologic or geologic – and that is exciting.” My point being is that it is very unlikely to have an actual photograph of life in outer space because if there is life, than it is bound to be microorganisms that cannot be captured on film or camera by an inhabitant on Earth.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126925.400-methane-pockets-may-narrow-search-for-life-on-mars.html

Ufologists retort that just because aliens have not communicated with us as of yet, does not mean that we can deny their existence. One speculation is that the aliens have some kind of moral code which prevents them from large scale interference in the affairs of a less advanced civilisation. (1) The human race is not ready for open contact with the extra-terrestrials because our lack of spiritual consciousness is too low. And perhaps the most sinister answer is that they are not well-disposed towards us. After all, if your intentions are hostile, why announce your presence?
(1) http://www.ufoencounters.co.uk/why-dont-aliens-make-open-contact.html

This is a ridiculous argument. We do not know of any technology that any other life form has. We do not know how their bodies may or may not function without light. Perhaps their eyesight is similar to human beings and they need light to see where they are going? They may not care for our well being, but a species able to create such technology to fly would obviously want to further its own species and so would value their own lives. They would not want to crash into anything.

The fact is we simply could not know why they would have lights. So this argument neither proves nor disproves anything, it does not even scratch the surface. That of which we cannot speak meaningfully of, we should remain silent on.

The truth is, we have no way of knowing what types of planet intelligent life may have developed. Perhaps intelligent life only does develop on broadly similar planets and the humanoid form really is the non plus ultra of galactic evolution. And any reports of direct encounters form only a small part of the sum total of UFO sightings. (1) It is possible to be sceptical of the abduction and encounter stories whilst still believing in the phenomenon as a whole.

(1) http://www.ufoencounters.co.uk/arguments-against-reality-flying-saucers.html

The “alien life” that NASA along with other scientific research intities are studying is the microbiota organisms, and not “little green man”. Organisms that are very similar in cellular composition as to the one that started life here on Earth. Currently NASA’s Astrobiology Research Center have found microbes in the permafrost of Siberia, Alaska, and Antarctica. These microbes are able to survive in harsh climate conditions for thousands and even millions of years. Therefore, our reseach to finding life on other planets should be focused on these organisms. Mars, Europa (Jupiter’s moon) among other planest in our solar system contain ice caps similar to the ones that we have here on Earth and is very possible to find this type of organisms there as well.

Scientists have found proof of possible life on other planets. The thing is it is not the green intelligent humenoids we think of. Using the hubble space telescope NASA detected an organic molecule in the atmosphere. What they found was methane which according to NASA can have an effect in creating life, play the role in “chemical reactions considered necessary to form life” (1). So there is in fact life on other planets which is the topic announced here. Life does not necessarily mean a super human but can be anything ranging from vegetation or chemicals. Although NASA did not find life regarding an alien humanoid they did find that a chemical that identifies signs of life on another planet aside from Earth.

Authored by Lah_88.

(1) http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2008/11/full/

Simply because there is no “solid” proof found by us doesn’t mean that it’s not out there. How long does it usually take for the truth to come out in any given situation? How long was it before we found a cure for the common cold? Or for headaches? It took many attempts, none of which we were completely sure of, to find the solution. This is no different from finding out the truth about extraterrestrial life. I agree that we cant jump to conclusions based on individual stories, but we shouldn’t tune them out either. Uncredible or not, their stories have sparked curiousity in even the best of people and the fact that no one can find evidence to completely shut down the controversy leaves a shimmer in the inquiring mind of many.
-Ghoulia

That is true no one has confirm the presence of life on other planets, but no one as yet confirmed that scientist have explored the whole universe. Our technology keeps on improving each and everyday and up to this day we keep on finding new things out there in space. If there is no life out there other than earth then why do scientists keep on exploring the galaxy? Scientist are so eager to find life on other planets because they believe that its possible for life to be out there other than earth itself.
-Me984

There have been many stories and reports that have been told and filed, ranging from common folk to government officials, regarding sighting and encounters. Although some stories may sound and seem inaccurate it is very doubtful that all stories are misleading. There have been many reports with detailed evidence and most of them similar that may result in the accuracy of their statements. Answers to questions that may seem ridiculous about alien life may never come into light, but there is definitely some accuracy in most of the reports that have been recorded and no actual accuracy on how the reports have been handled.

The idea that out of the several planets and galaxies that exist, We are the only form of life seems too vague. Were the other planets and galaxies created for decoration? What is the reason for other planets to exist? When you have a planet such as mars, which was found to have oxygen, You might ask why? Why oxygen in another planet? Then the question arises, does life exist elsewhere? It would be difficult not to believe life exists elsewhere when you have several planets in just our solar system, out these planets some include the facts of them containing oxygen and ice which results in water. And wherever you have the combination of oxygen and water you have life.

Extremely good point. I wrote another one on the yes side before this one, you might want to take a look at that one. It is called Methane Signatures Found.

There are billions upon billions of galaxies and we inhabit just one of those billions. I think that there is some way you can live on another planet because us as humans have adapted to live on this planet. If there is life on other planets why can’t they adapt to their planet’s diversity just like humans have on earth. Life elsewhere in the universe is situated too far away for us to even think about meeting at the moment. In time though when we explore space further and advance our technology even more we might find life somewhere else. We know at the moment Mars has ice/water and Europa is thought to also be a prime candidate to have water hidden under its surface. So if we take the fact that water is the key to life, we have two planets at the very least within our solar system that have water.

-Me984

Statistically, it is likely that other planets have air.

if you think in millions and trillions of miles and there is only us you are not looking at the big picture .the universe is so big no human can comprehend it .and if we are the only ones there thats a big waste of space how do you know that we are the only ones scientists have only studyed the our neighboring planets and dont know anything about out of our solar system planets.