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Curiosity Grows as NASA Sets Extraterrestrial Search Update

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by ryan17wagner, Nov 30, 2010.

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  1. ryan17wagner

    ryan17wagner Member

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    A seemingly routine press release issued by NASA is causing a serious stir in the blogosphere today with no small amount of hyperventilation about the possibility that scientists may have something to say about the discovery of extraterrestrial life.

    A press conference, which will be streamed on NASA TV, is set for Thursday at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C. According to NASA, the event will discuss "an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe."

    NASA has also brought together a geologist, an oceanographer, a biologist, and an ecologist for a panel discussion at the press conference. That's got peoples' imaginations running wild but props to Kottke.org for doing a bit of online sleuthing into the backgrounds of the invited speakers. They include:

    * Geobiologist Pamela Conrad is the primary author of a 2009 paper on geology and life on Mars
    * Oceanographer Felisa Wolfe-Simon has written on photosynthesis using arsenic recently
    * Biologist Steven Benner is part of the "Titan Team" at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    * Ecologist James Elser works with a NASA-funded astrobiology program called Follow the Elements

    Of course, more than a little skepticism is called for since at this point nobody outside of NASA knows what's on tap for Thursday. Given the advance hype, however, anything less than a cameo by ET will likely come as a disappointment to many. Still, space exploration continues to proceed on a steady pace and so even if it's not the aforesaid blockbuster, the announcement will be worth watching.


    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20024158-501465.html
     
    #1 ryan17wagner, Nov 30, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  2. raj87

    raj87 Member

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    Perhaps they learned how to operate the Stargate?
     
    #2 raj87, Nov 30, 2010
  3. Ottomaton

    Ottomaton Contributing Member
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    A few days ago, they announced that they found oxygen in the atmosphere of Titan. Free oxygen in the atmosphere is so reactive that it has previously been considered to be a sign of life. For instance, they've talked about looking for oxygen spectral lines in extrasolar planets as a potential marker for life. I believe it can exist for "geologically short" periods of time, and of course that can't be ruled out here as we've known about it for a couple of days.

    I'm betting it is just going to be an explanation of the significance of the oxygen with very pointed suggestions, and an attempt to rally support for a mission to search Titan for life.
     
    #3 Ottomaton, Nov 30, 2010
  4. liljojo

    liljojo Member

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    You have not enough minerals.
     
    #4 liljojo, Nov 30, 2010
  5. rrj_gamz

    rrj_gamz Contributing Member

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    ET or bust...
     
    #5 rrj_gamz, Nov 30, 2010
  6. RoxSqaud

    RoxSqaud Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #6 RoxSqaud, Nov 30, 2010
  7. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    A Blade Runner pat on the back for the heads-up. This could be really, really groovy. I hope so. :cool:
     
    #7 Deckard, Nov 30, 2010
  8. Thefabman

    Thefabman Member

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    Damnit they found me again!
     
    #8 Thefabman, Nov 30, 2010
  9. Depressio

    Depressio Contributing Member

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    It was Rhea, not Titan: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/whycassini/cassini20101126.html

    Awesome nonetheless! O2:CO2 ratio of 5:2.

    I think their announcement won't really be very exciting. It never is (perhaps because exciting to me is OMGALIENS!!!).
     
    #9 Depressio, Nov 30, 2010
  10. Wakko67

    Wakko67 Contributing Member

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    NASA to make Astrobiology announcement

    So NASA has an announcement scheduled for tomorrow regarding astrobiology. There's all types of speculation on the net, though I'm pretty sure it won't be anything Earth-shattering. Anyway, I am hoping that its something worth the interest. Maybe evidence leading to strong possibilities of life on Mars or Titan. Whatever happens I feel like we'll continue to make more and more discoveries that eventually find life elsewhere. What do y'all think?

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20101201/sc_ac/7316534_what_is_nasas_secret_astrobiology_announcement
     
    #10 Wakko67, Dec 1, 2010
  11. Invisible Fan

    Invisible Fan Contributing Member

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    Finding an earthlike planet would be cool, but I'm guessing something less extraordinary.
     
    #11 Invisible Fan, Dec 1, 2010
  12. SuperBeeKay

    SuperBeeKay Member

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    There is life on the moon. That's my guess.
     
    #12 SuperBeeKay, Dec 1, 2010
  13. Ottomaton

    Ottomaton Contributing Member
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    I read somewhere that it actually has to do with extremophile life on Earth.
     
    #13 Ottomaton, Dec 1, 2010
  14. Zboy

    Zboy Contributing Member

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    Sam Cassell into hall of fame?
     
    #14 Zboy, Dec 1, 2010
  15. Wakko67

    Wakko67 Contributing Member

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    #15 Wakko67, Dec 2, 2010
  16. Wakko67

    Wakko67 Contributing Member

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    So after starting a double thread, I'll post here. It looks like the invitees to the conference specialize in astrobiology so more than likely it has to do with that. Maybe they'll announce, a possibility for non water based life.
     
    #16 Wakko67, Dec 2, 2010
  17. Ottomaton

    Ottomaton Contributing Member
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    #17 Ottomaton, Dec 2, 2010
  18. TheRealist137

    TheRealist137 Member

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    #18 TheRealist137, Dec 2, 2010
  19. RainbowPoop

    RainbowPoop Rookie

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    "We found alien bacteria guys"

    Honestly, if there was any concrete proof of ETs that would be shocking, the government would make sure not to allow it to get out.

    We would probably witness something ourselves to know there are aliens, before our government comes out and tells us.
     
    #19 RainbowPoop, Dec 2, 2010
  20. ryan17wagner

    ryan17wagner Member

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    I guess I'll watch Ancient Aliens on History Channel for my fix tomorrow. Oh well.
     
    #20 ryan17wagner, Dec 2, 2010
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