There's been speculation that advanced telescopes may be able to find hallmarks of alien life by looking for oxygen in the spectrum of light reflected off of exoplanets, but this article suggests using the James Web Space Telescope to look for pollution: Pollution on other worlds may show advanced alien life - space - 27 June … Continue reading Find alien civilizations by their pollution?
Tag: Space
Did a cosmic fluke make life on land possible?
When pondering how likely life is to develop on other worlds, or what types of life might develop, we always have to always bear in mind that we currently only have one example to work with. And that example has one extremely unusual attribute, a large moon, at least large in relation to the size … Continue reading Did a cosmic fluke make life on land possible?
Transforming ourselves takes a lot less energy than terraforming Mars
Popular Science has a brief article laying out the three steps to terraform Mars. The recipe for creating a habitable planet turns out to be surprisingly simple: Just add water—and atmospheric gases. Mars has both, relics from four billion years ago when the planet was warm and wet. “When it comes to Mars, and only … Continue reading Transforming ourselves takes a lot less energy than terraforming Mars
The Fermi Paradox – Wait But Why
The "Wait But Why" blog takes an in depth look at something some of us were discussing on another thread: the Fermi Paradox. Everyone feels something when they’re in a really good starry place on a really good starry night and they look up and see this: Some people stick with the traditional, feeling struck … Continue reading The Fermi Paradox – Wait But Why
Neil deGrasse Tyson Turns Down Pluto Debate Challenge
And speaking of the outer solar system, it seems that Neil deGrasse Tyson isn't interested in debating whether or not Pluto is a planet. If you were looking forward to seeing astrophysicist and "Cosmos" host Neil deGrasse Tyson debate how Pluto should be classified, don't hold your breath. Tyson says he's done debating. The planetary scientist in charge of … Continue reading Neil deGrasse Tyson Turns Down Pluto Debate Challenge
NASA – The Tyranny of the Rocket Equation
This NASA document has been around for a while, but it remains relevant. If you're going to engage in space travel, you have some unyielding scientific and engineering realities to contend with. This article is a bit dry, but it's a pretty good introduction into the realities of spaceflight. Tyranny is a human trait that … Continue reading NASA – The Tyranny of the Rocket Equation
Lava, not water, formed canyons on Mars
Every so often we get a reminder that all scientific conclusions are provisional. The canyon-like scars which line Mars' crust are seen by many as evidence for liquid water. But a study now suggests that a different kind of fluid – one much less hospitable to life – may actually have carved these features. via … Continue reading Lava, not water, formed canyons on Mars
xkcd: Fish
xkcd on the Fermi Paradox. Click through for the full sized version. xkcd: Fish.
SpaceX reveals the new crewed Dragon V2
Very cool. SpaceX has been making a lot of news recently, announcing one breakthrough after another. Their current unmanned Dragon capsule has made multiple successful supply runs to the ISS. Now they've revealed a version that can transport humans. The most eye popping aspect of it is the SuperDraco rocket engines on the capsule itself that … Continue reading SpaceX reveals the new crewed Dragon V2
Interstellar travel: Raising children in space
BBC Future has an article looking at how living in space might effect humans and society, and asking, among other things, should we have babies in space? “Mars,” sang Sir Elton John in Rocket Man, “ain't the kind of place to raise your kids.” Sir Elton might be lacking in Nasa-related experience, but he had a … Continue reading Interstellar travel: Raising children in space
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