Possibility of Life Elsewhere in the Universe - Article Example

The Possibility of Life Elsewhere In the Universe Introduction Though the possibility of life in the universe is not a fact that is proved with concrete evidences, theoretical science seems to put an extra interest in the matter. According Peter Ward, co-author of "Rare Earth," and Professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle, it is merely a cultural assumption that life in its simple form or in many alien civilizations exists in the space around this earth (Great Debates). From the commencement of knowledge in human history, inquisitive human minds have had a strong fascination for the endless structure of the cosmos and with the rapid progress of science and mega technology as well as the nanotechnology the possibility of life in any corner of this universe increasingly grabs interest of the thoughtful brains. As in an article named “Are we alone, or is there life elsewhere in the universe?” Gitt affirms, “For decades, speculation about extraterrestrial life has been boosted by tales of …. NASA researchers claimed to have found evidence for simple life forms in a meteorite, allegedly from Mars, found in Antarctica” (Gitt). Not Empirical, But Theoretical Basis of Extraterrestrial Life A new branch of both theoretical and practical science, namely space science and technology and astrobiology, flourishing in the context of modern time is focused on the longings whether there is life elsewhere in the universe other than the Earth. At the same time it is also the most debated question among the scientists and the astro-biologists. Any speculation that has been made so far about the existence of life in the universe is formed utterly on the theoretical basis, as concrete evidences for life in the cosmos are rare so far. Though the existence of life is not proved due to this lack of concrete evidence, theoretical basis of this speculation is strong enough to envisage a world that is dominated and reigned human like beings or at least, that ensures such an environment congenial enough to ensure life. Indeed though some of the scientists and the scholars are prone to blow the possibility of life in the universe, the rest of them cannot draw back to discard this possibility. Whenever scientists are to form the speculations about this possibility, they are confronted with the fact whether there the environment exists in this universe that can foster any form of life. Donald Brownlee necessarily says: Most planets and other places in the universe clearly could not support any type of Earth-like creatures. The universe is vast, so there may be many Earth-like places, but they will be widely spaced, and if they are too widely spaced they will be isolated from each other. What fraction of stars harbors Earth-like planets with Earth-like life? Is it one in a hundred, one in a million, or even less? Even the most optimistic have to admit Earth-like environments must be rare. (Great Debate) Conditions of Life Choking the Possibility The fact whether any part of our universe can provide a congenial condition to life may engender a lot of controversy. But it is unanimously accepted that “where theres organic (carbon-based) chemistry, water and an energy source, theres life - no matter what the conditions” (ESA). Some argue that as these essential requirements for life can be found in the universe, life in this universe yields a good chance. Those who advocates for congenial and friendly conditions to ensure life in the universe are refuted on the point that as “living organisms have been found alive and well in environments on Earth so apparently hostile”(ESA), it also can be found in a more hostile environment if it ensures organic chemistry of life. Also this argument of the scientists is supported by the evidence found in the hostile environment of Antarctic region of Earth, as David Wynn Williams, a microbiologist says, “If theres life on Mars today, I reckon its a couple of kilometres underground living in melted permafrost - or it could be alive and well in pockets of water under the north polar ice cap” (ESA). This type of survival of the living organisms in a hostile environment enhances the possibility of life in the form of organic chemistry in any other home of this universe. But at the same time, another group of thinkers argue that life can survive only in an environment that maintains a number of stringent requirements. According to them the weather of any life-friendly planet should be neither too hot nor too cold. Gitt says, “In particular, it must be in a very narrow temperature range so that liquid water exists” (Gitt). In fact sign of such environment has not been proved by the empirical science. Spontaneous Generation of Life and the Minimization of Possibility Whenever scientists make any speculation of the possibility of life in the universe around the planet Earth, they are again to confront another question whether life arises independently. Even if any planet or cosmic body of this universe provides friendly environment and condition, the fact whether life will be initiated on its own has engendered a lot of debates for the greatest thinkers of the era. It is often asked in case of the origin of life on the Earth, “Was the common origin a seed planted, perhaps, during collisions with comets, or interstellar dust?” (ESA). In this regard scientists asserts, “Saturns moon, Titan, also shows promise of revealing the conditions needed for basic organic chemistry to evolve into the chemistry that eventually lead to life” (ESA). But this theory of spontaneous generation has been disapproved by the Louis Pasteur, a great microbiologist. In order to solve the question whether there is any sign of life in the universe; man has to wait until its discovery. What Scholars Says about Extraterrestrial Life Though the scholars and great thinkers vary from each other on their opinion, most of them agree that the possibility to find life elsewhere in this universe is still a fairy tale that seems to charm the fantasy loving mind of human being. They are inspired to think in such a fashion because of the weak proposition of both of theoretical basis and empirical basis of the extraterrestrial life. In this regard, Chris McKay, planetary scientist with the Space Science Division of NASA Ames Research Center, says: There is no solid evidence of life elsewhere, but several factors suggest it is common. Organic material is widespread in the interstellar medium and in our own solar system…so, we know that microbial ecosystems can survive in a variety of environments with liquid water and a suitable chemical energy source or sunlight. (Great Debate) Again, David Grinspoon opinies: “we have to be a bit cautious when we fill the cosmos with creatures based on the time scales of Earth history … and the resourcefulness of Earth life (Great Debate). Conclusion Finally it can be asserted that if the possibility of life in the universe is judged for empirical science, one is to be rather despaired than to hear any hope. Both Empirical and practical science do not have much evidence to prove the existence of life in any corner of the cosmos. Even the few evidences, “Mars rock”, UFO, etc that the scientist presently have in their hands are not strong and concrete enough to advocate for the extraterrestrial existence of life, as Gitt says, “this “proof” of life in the “Mars rock” has very much lost-lost favor among the scientific community. The supposed “nanofossils” were probably no more than magnetite whiskers plus artifacts of the experimental process” (Gitt). Again the evidence of the UFO appears to be more of a fairy imagination of human mind. In 1900 the French Academy of Science declared a reward of one hundred thousand Francs for the man would be able to contact with the alien from another world. Again Gitt claims, “Since then, not a trace of “little green men,” or indeed any life, has been found on any of the planets that our probes have explored, including Mars”. Works Cited Complex Life Elsewhere in the Universe? Great Debates: Part I. July 15, 2002 from European Space Agency. “Europe joins the search for life elsewhere in the Universe”. Life in the Universe. 8 November 2001. 24 February 2009. From ESA. “Life on Mars”. Life in the Universe. 8 November 2001. 24 February 2009. From ESA. “Press Release”. Life in the Universe. November 12. 2001. 24 February 2009. From http://eu.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=6558 Gitt, Werner. “Are we alone, or is there life elsewhere in the universe?” Creation Ministries International, 19 (4):46-48, Nov 1997. 24 Feb, 2009. from Read More