NASAs Space Infrared Telescope Exploring - Essay Example

Running head: NASA BIOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Exploring the Universe for Signs of Life NameDear Editor:On August 25, 2003, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched a new telescope, called Spitzer, into space with the goal of finally ascertaining how planets and galaxies are born. This is the fourth and last of the great telescopes NASA is commissioning to go into space ("About Spitzer", 2003) for this program called Astronomical Search for Origins Program.

In researching about this wonderful undertaking, I read about 'the discovery of significant amounts of icy organic materials sprinkled throughout several "planetary construction zones", or dusty planet-forming discs, which circle infant stars' ("Spotting Life", 2004). I also read about how supernovas, also known as exploding stars, combine with other materials floating in space to form planets and new galaxies ("Life and Death", 2004).These concepts kept dancing around my head and made me wonder about finding life on one or more of these planets or galaxies.

Earth was created in much the same way. Scientists are theorizing that the same icy organic materials visible for the first time with the assistance of Spitzer was how our planet came to have so much water and the beginning of biogenic materials from which to begin the process of life here on earth ("Spotting Life", 2004).Spitzer found an interesting clean gap behind a star called CoKu Tau 4, which is 1million years old, only 3 billion years younger than Earth. A planet orbiting CoKu Tau 4 could cause this gap.

A planet Spitzer is not able to discern this planet, however, what if this is a younger version of Earth What if all of the carbon-based, life-enabling materials are available for this planet circling CoKu Tau 4 to create life from What if future manned explorations travel to this star system and encounter life What would life be like How would NASA and the world respondWhat if instead of being carbon-based, these life forms were methane based A recent article on Universe Today, that spoke of lake on Titan, Saturn's moon, which has long been believed to be a methane lake ("Exotic Life", 2005).

However, scientists theorize that because this particular planet is so cold (-289 Fahrenheit), that the chemical reactions that would sustain life (as we know it) would take so long to occur. What if methane-based life forms required extreme cold for their survival What if these life forms had a physical appearance that was nothing like our own flesh, blood and bone structure due to the temperature difference What if these methane-based life forms used a more ephemeral body and were able to use parts of their nervous systems to communicate directly with one another by touch utilizing a biologically manufactured lipoprotein that facilitates communication and language Would our systems be able to adapt and communicate with theirs Further more, could humans expand their minds enough to accept that we are not alone in this vast galaxy That there are others that we must work with and come to understand as we attempt to get past our own foibles and learn the new life form and the responsibly deal with having a second species with which to interact.

Would we, as a race, be able to exhibit the maturity to not want to kill something that does not look like us, think like us, or even remotely behave like us Our world, our language, our very way of life and functioning would be changed forever. Let's make this personal -- could you do it Could you accept a new race of beings It's something to think about.ReferencesNational Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2003). About Spitzer. Retrieved October 6, 2005, from http://spitzer.Caltech.

edu/about/index.shtmlNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (2004). Life and Death Portrait. Retrieved October 6, 2005, from http://sse.jpl.nasa.gove/news/display.cfmNews_ID=7699National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2004). Spotting Life's Basics. Retrieved October 6, 2005, from http://sse.jpl.nasa.gov/news/display.cfmNews_ID=8457Universe Today. (2005). Exotic Life Could Survive on Titan. Retrieved October 6, 2005, from http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/titan_hold_key_to_exotic_life.

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