THE SEARCH FOR EXTRATERESTIAL INTELLIGENCE

[Ima Cat]

More and more planets are being discovered, though not much reported in our lamebrain media. In fact, they found a planet, possibly Earth sized orbiting the nearest star, Alpha/Proxima Centauri, just 4 light years away.

My question is this: how strong does a radio signal have to be to be detected here on Earth, 4 light years from another "civilization" on that planet orbiting Proxima?

 

[shockedcanadian]

I've said it before, let's try and find intelligent life on this planet first...

 

[Auld Phart]

extraterrestrial intelligence?

I'm looking for intelligence here on Earth

 

[theHawk]

NASA needs to stop wasting billions on the vain search for life. We need to find natural resources that we can use to build things with. Once we are able to exploit such resources from nearby planets and systems, then we'll have the capability to build real vessels with immense power to explore more of the galaxy.

 

[Dalia]

Since 1988, scientists have found more than 3,000 planets orbiting stars other than our sun. The newest addition is Proxima Centauri b, a small, rocky world just 4.24 light-years away, which may be in a habitable orbit.
Going the Distance

The newly discovered planet orbits Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our sun. The world is now the nearest one known that scientists believe is about as massive as Earth and possibly friendly to life. Previously, the closest potentially habitable planet was Wolf 1061c.

MONICA SERRANO AND DANIELA SANTAMARINA, NG STAFF
SOURCES: GUILLEM ANGLADA-ESCUDE AND OTHERS, NATURE (2016); GREGORY LAUGHLIN, YALE UNIVERSITY.

VIEW IMAGES
Proxima Centauri is part of the triple star system Alpha Centauri, seen here in a composite picture from the Digitized Sky Survey 2.


PHOTOGRAPH BY ESO, DAVIDE DE MARTIN, AND MAHDI ZAMANI

"If this really is a planet, the 11-day signal shouldn’t depend too much on when we observe the star. The planet should always be there," Weiss says. "If anyone tries this experiment again a few years from now and doesn't see the same signal, that's a bad sign."

HOPES FOR LIFE
As exciting as the discovery is, however, it’ll be a while until astronomers can tell us whether Proxima b is a good host for life as we know it. For now, scientists don’t know enough about the planet to assess its true nature—but based on available information, it’s unlikely to be an Earthly twin, or even similar to Earth at all.

To begin with, aside from its age, Proxima Centauri is nothing like the sun. It’s about 12 percent of the sun’s mass, has a magnetic field 600 times stronger, and emits the majority of its light in relatively cool infrared wavelengths. It also spits out roughly the same amount of x-rays as the sun, meaning that planets near enough to support liquid water are constantly in the splash zone of potentially damaging energetic particles.

Then there are those giant flares, which are tempestuous even by red dwarf standards. The star has somewhat chilled out in its relative old age, but it once shot extreme amounts of UV radiation into space with alarming frequency, potentially dealing a hostile blow to any life on an infant planet’s surface.

Not only that, but those stellar tantrums and continued x-ray bombardment could erode or severely alter the chemistry of any atmosphere, leaving the surface relatively unprotected from lethal radiation.

“If the atmosphere is thinner, then more UV radiation will hit the ground,” says Cornell University’s Lisa Kaltenegger. “Ground-based life will either have to shelter underground, underwater, or rely on another mechanism to shield itself.”

There’s also the strong probability that, at a mere seven million kilometers from its host, Proxima b keeps one face pointing toward its star at all times and one face gazing eternally into the cosmic night.

All of these differences don’t prove that life could not have evolved on Proxima b, just that its story would be dramatically different from that of life on Earth.

“Life, if it exists, probably had a rougher start than life on Earth,” Kaltenegger says. “But that is exactly why it is so exciting to study these other worlds. They are just a bit different and can unveil an amazing diversity of life we can't even imagine yet.”
National Geographic News and Latest Stories

 

[xyz]

Carl Sagan had a formula to determine how many civilizations would be able to evolve in such a way as to be able to travel to other stars.

A key component of the equation is if they would be able to survive and defeat the prospects of a nuclear war destroying their own planet. Right now the prospects seem extremely bleak for Mother Earth.

 

[Ima Cat]

Since 1988, scientists have found more than 3,000 planets orbiting stars other than our sun. The newest addition is Proxima Centauri b, a small, rocky world just 4.24 light-years away, which may be in a habitable orbit.
Going the Distance

The newly discovered planet orbits Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our sun. The world is now the nearest one known that scientists believe is about as massive as Earth and possibly friendly to life. Previously, the closest potentially habitable planet was Wolf 1061c.

MONICA SERRANO AND DANIELA SANTAMARINA, NG STAFF
SOURCES: GUILLEM ANGLADA-ESCUDE AND OTHERS, NATURE (2016); GREGORY LAUGHLIN, YALE UNIVERSITY.

VIEW IMAGES
Proxima Centauri is part of the triple star system Alpha Centauri, seen here in a composite picture from the Digitized Sky Survey 2.


PHOTOGRAPH BY ESO, DAVIDE DE MARTIN, AND MAHDI ZAMANI

"If this really is a planet, the 11-day signal shouldn’t depend too much on when we observe the star. The planet should always be there," Weiss says. "If anyone tries this experiment again a few years from now and doesn't see the same signal, that's a bad sign."

HOPES FOR LIFE
As exciting as the discovery is, however, it’ll be a while until astronomers can tell us whether Proxima b is a good host for life as we know it. For now, scientists don’t know enough about the planet to assess its true nature—but based on available information, it’s unlikely to be an Earthly twin, or even similar to Earth at all.

To begin with, aside from its age, Proxima Centauri is nothing like the sun. It’s about 12 percent of the sun’s mass, has a magnetic field 600 times stronger, and emits the majority of its light in relatively cool infrared wavelengths. It also spits out roughly the same amount of x-rays as the sun, meaning that planets near enough to support liquid water are constantly in the splash zone of potentially damaging energetic particles.

Then there are those giant flares, which are tempestuous even by red dwarf standards. The star has somewhat chilled out in its relative old age, but it once shot extreme amounts of UV radiation into space with alarming frequency, potentially dealing a hostile blow to any life on an infant planet’s surface.

Not only that, but those stellar tantrums and continued x-ray bombardment could erode or severely alter the chemistry of any atmosphere, leaving the surface relatively unprotected from lethal radiation.

“If the atmosphere is thinner, then more UV radiation will hit the ground,” says Cornell University’s Lisa Kaltenegger. “Ground-based life will either have to shelter underground, underwater, or rely on another mechanism to shield itself.”

There’s also the strong probability that, at a mere seven million kilometers from its host, Proxima b keeps one face pointing toward its star at all times and one face gazing eternally into the cosmic night.

All of these differences don’t prove that life could not have evolved on Proxima b, just that its story would be dramatically different from that of life on Earth.

“Life, if it exists, probably had a rougher start than life on Earth,” Kaltenegger says. “But that is exactly why it is so exciting to study these other worlds. They are just a bit different and can unveil an amazing diversity of life we can't even imagine yet.”
National Geographic News and Latest Stories

Thanks for a great post and breathtaking photos. The painting used as your avatar is eye catching as well? Renoir?

 

[Ima Cat]

Carl Sagan had a formula to determine how many civilizations would be able to evolve in such a way as to be able to travel to other stars.

A key component of the equation is if they would be able to survive and defeat the prospects of a nuclear war destroying their own planet. Right now the prospects seem extremely bleak for Mother Earth.

Sagan's formula is series of probabilities, starting with the probability of planets orbiting other stars. We now know that probability is large and with The Webb telescope operational in a few years we may be stunned to find planets in the "goldilocks" zone of their star systems, not to hot, not too cold, just right.

 

[PredFan]

SETI and others have been looking and listening for decades and found nothing.

Radio waves travel at the speed of light so if the planet is 4 light years away, it will take 4 years to get to us. Yet, nothing.

I believe very strongly that we will find life on other planets. We likely will find life on planets and moons IN THIS SOLAR SYSTEM. Intelligent life? Not likely. Also not likely, that we will find intelligent life anywhere in our vicinity of the Milky Way galaxy.

 

[PredFan]

Carl Sagan had a formula to determine how many civilizations would be able to evolve in such a way as to be able to travel to other stars.

A key component of the equation is if they would be able to survive and defeat the prospects of a nuclear war destroying their own planet. Right now the prospects seem extremely bleak for Mother Earth.

Sagan's formula is series of probabilities, starting with the probability of planets orbiting other stars. We now know that probability is large and with The Webb telescope operational in a few years we may be stunned to find planets in the "goldilocks" zone of their star systems, not to hot, not too cold, just right.

Sagan used the old Drake Equasion, which if I remember it correctly, did not account for the goldilocks zone then. I think it may have been added at some point after his death.

Even the modern Drake Equasion leaves off way too many factors to be anywhere near accurate. A single orbiting moon, a huge gravity sink like Jupiter nearby, the various extinctions of life, and others. Even with the zillions of stars, we are very very likely to be alone.

 

[OldLady]

NASA needs to stop wasting billions on the vain search for life. We need to find natural resources that we can use to build things with. Once we are able to exploit such resources from nearby planets and systems, then we'll have the capability to build real vessels with immense power to explore more of the galaxy.

Nah, I think it's a good thing to remain curious and seek for the awesome, even if it doesn't make us a buck. It's how the Europeans found our continent. It's how we got to the moon. It's worth it.

 

[Old Rocks]

Carl Sagan had a formula to determine how many civilizations would be able to evolve in such a way as to be able to travel to other stars.

A key component of the equation is if they would be able to survive and defeat the prospects of a nuclear war destroying their own planet. Right now the prospects seem extremely bleak for Mother Earth.

The Drake Equation;

N = R* • fp • ne • fl • fi • fc • L

• N = The number of civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy whose electromagnetic emissions are detectable.
• R* =The rate of formation of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life.
• fp = The fraction of those stars with planetary systems.
• ne = The number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life.
• fl = The fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears.
• fi = The fraction of life bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges.
• fc = The fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space.
• L = The length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space.

 

[Old Rocks]

NASA needs to stop wasting billions on the vain search for life. We need to find natural resources that we can use to build things with. Once we are able to exploit such resources from nearby planets and systems, then we'll have the capability to build real vessels with immense power to explore more of the galaxy.

Nah, I think it's a good thing to remain curious and seek for the awesome, even if it doesn't make us a buck. It's how the Europeans found our continent. It's how we got to the moon. It's worth it.

A very wise old cowboy in Eastern Oregon, Rueb Long, stated that "Research is always a bargain, even when it costs too much".

 

[ScienceRocks]

NASA needs to stop wasting billions on the vain search for life. We need to find natural resources that we can use to build things with. Once we are able to exploit such resources from nearby planets and systems, then we'll have the capability to build real vessels with immense power to explore more of the galaxy.

Nah, I think it's a good thing to remain curious and seek for the awesome, even if it doesn't make us a buck. It's how the Europeans found our continent. It's how we got to the moon. It's worth it.

A very wise old cowboy in Eastern Oregon, Rueb Long, stated that "Research is always a bargain, even when it costs too much".

America would be a third world nation like Iraq currently is or some other African shit hole if it wasn't for science and r&d advancement. We owe our extended lives to science...Tens of millions per year would die if it wasn't for the medical advancements that science has brought and humanity would still be in Africa if not for exploration....

So I find it depressing to read such hatred of science and it makes me feel very down on the future. I do NOT want to see America to collapse but such "hatred" and backwardsness will do it.

 

[Dalia]

Since 1988, scientists have found more than 3,000 planets orbiting stars other than our sun. The newest addition is Proxima Centauri b, a small, rocky world just 4.24 light-years away, which may be in a habitable orbit.
Going the Distance

The newly discovered planet orbits Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our sun. The world is now the nearest one known that scientists believe is about as massive as Earth and possibly friendly to life. Previously, the closest potentially habitable planet was Wolf 1061c.

MONICA SERRANO AND DANIELA SANTAMARINA, NG STAFF
SOURCES: GUILLEM ANGLADA-ESCUDE AND OTHERS, NATURE (2016); GREGORY LAUGHLIN, YALE UNIVERSITY.

VIEW IMAGES
Proxima Centauri is part of the triple star system Alpha Centauri, seen here in a composite picture from the Digitized Sky Survey 2.


PHOTOGRAPH BY ESO, DAVIDE DE MARTIN, AND MAHDI ZAMANI

"If this really is a planet, the 11-day signal shouldn’t depend too much on when we observe the star. The planet should always be there," Weiss says. "If anyone tries this experiment again a few years from now and doesn't see the same signal, that's a bad sign."

HOPES FOR LIFE
As exciting as the discovery is, however, it’ll be a while until astronomers can tell us whether Proxima b is a good host for life as we know it. For now, scientists don’t know enough about the planet to assess its true nature—but based on available information, it’s unlikely to be an Earthly twin, or even similar to Earth at all.

To begin with, aside from its age, Proxima Centauri is nothing like the sun. It’s about 12 percent of the sun’s mass, has a magnetic field 600 times stronger, and emits the majority of its light in relatively cool infrared wavelengths. It also spits out roughly the same amount of x-rays as the sun, meaning that planets near enough to support liquid water are constantly in the splash zone of potentially damaging energetic particles.

Then there are those giant flares, which are tempestuous even by red dwarf standards. The star has somewhat chilled out in its relative old age, but it once shot extreme amounts of UV radiation into space with alarming frequency, potentially dealing a hostile blow to any life on an infant planet’s surface.

Not only that, but those stellar tantrums and continued x-ray bombardment could erode or severely alter the chemistry of any atmosphere, leaving the surface relatively unprotected from lethal radiation.

“If the atmosphere is thinner, then more UV radiation will hit the ground,” says Cornell University’s Lisa Kaltenegger. “Ground-based life will either have to shelter underground, underwater, or rely on another mechanism to shield itself.”

There’s also the strong probability that, at a mere seven million kilometers from its host, Proxima b keeps one face pointing toward its star at all times and one face gazing eternally into the cosmic night.

All of these differences don’t prove that life could not have evolved on Proxima b, just that its story would be dramatically different from that of life on Earth.

“Life, if it exists, probably had a rougher start than life on Earth,” Kaltenegger says. “But that is exactly why it is so exciting to study these other worlds. They are just a bit different and can unveil an amazing diversity of life we can't even imagine yet.”
National Geographic News and Latest Stories

Thanks for a great post and breathtaking photos. The painting used as your avatar is eye catching as well? Renoir?

No , not Renoir i choose this avatar because the girl look quite like me

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Man. And nobody thinks to ask the key question: What's the CO2 levels on these "inhabitable planets"?

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

I've said it before, let's try and find intelligent life on this planet first...

The Twinkling Void

We shouldn't mistake childish escapist Trekkie astronomers for intelligent life. NA$A is a lucrative scam that appeals to degenerates whose intellectual growth stopped the first time they looked into a telescope and said, "Wow! Cool!"

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Carl Sagan had a formula to determine how many civilizations would be able to evolve in such a way as to be able to travel to other stars.

A key component of the equation is if they would be able to survive and defeat the prospects of a nuclear war destroying their own planet. Right now the prospects seem extremely bleak for Mother Earth.

The Drake Equation;

N = R* • fp • ne • fl • fi • fc • L

• N = The number of civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy whose electromagnetic emissions are detectable.
• R* =The rate of formation of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life.
• fp = The fraction of those stars with planetary systems.
• ne = The number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life.
• fl = The fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears.
• fi = The fraction of life bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges.
• fc = The fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space.
• L = The length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space.

Where's the CO2 level function?

 

[Elsalyons]

I'm looking for intelligence here on Earth, too! Lol

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Finding creatures like us that can send out electromagnetic signals doesn't necessarily make either species intelligent. We look at a tree and it's just roots branches and leaves when it might think of itself as variations of sunlight and Earth