A step closer to finding another Earth-like planet

[Gemini]

Actually, no it's not.

Actually, I'll disagree.

There are very specific terms and standards used in science. Likewise, studies in peer-reviewed forums are structured in very specific ways. I have yet to read a single peer-reviewed article that uses language like, "therefore this proves X theory to be unquestionably factual". Rather, the language more commonly sounds like, "evidence from this study suggests that X theory is the more plausible explanation" or "the data of this study indicates X theory to be supported".

It sounds to me like you're not actually getting your information from professional sources (i.e., textbooks, academic journals, and conferences). More than likely, it was most probably summarizations give by non-experts in secondary sources.

You are correct. Such sources as you've mentioned are not what I was referencing. It depends on what you mean by professional sources. You would imply that what the professional field portrays to each other is the same image they portray to the general public. I don't think so. What one scientist is going to say to another is not what that scientist is going to say to me. He wants recognition from his peers. He wants money from me. Two completely different pitches. My reference was primarily aimed towards documentories, but now you're going to make me dig up evidence to prove my point. So be it. Just don't set a timeline. This isn't my highest priority, but I always enjoy the discussion.

And, for what it's worth, when I was taught science in public school it was always put in terms of "this is the best explanation we currently have given all the available data". That science is self-correcting is something you learn on your very first day.

Yes, I was taught the same way in school, where following such policy is strictly enforced. My reference was when one leaves school. Out in the real world even scientists have other agendas and sensationalism can run as rampant in their field as anywhere else. I'll get back as soon as I can. I gotta go dig up some old Carl Sagan vids. He was notorious for it.

 

[Blotan Hunka]

There probably is life out there, its a matter of statistics I would guess. However, the distances between them is staggering. Im not optimistic that we will ever make some sort of transport that wouldnt take so long that the generation that finally arrives on location would remember what the trip was for in the first place.

 

[Shizen Shigoku]

Wouldn't it be funny if we found extraterrestrial intelligent life and they looked just like us but with different-shaped foreheads like on Star Trek?


If there was a way to generate huge amounts of long-lasting energy without the burden of having to carry enormous amounts of fuel onboard a spaceship - I know, I'm asking a lot - it would be possible to attain near light speed in a little under a year by accelerating at the same rate as earthly gravity. We could then reach the nearest stars in about 5-10 years.

Then it's just a matter of looking out for those pesky Klingons.

 

[Makalakumu]

There probably is life out there, its a matter of statistics I would guess. However, the distances between them is staggering. Im not optimistic that we will ever make some sort of transport that wouldnt take so long that the generation that finally arrives on location would remember what the trip was for in the first place.

The distances are staggering only if you measure from earth. As I said up thread, WE are the isolated ones. Other star systems in this galaxy are much closer together. In fact, near the core of the galaxy, there are thousands of stars within a one light year radius from any star. Thus it is perfectly conceivable that a multistellar civilization could form in such a region.

 

[Bigshadow]

For those interested, a new 45 minute documentary has been released about the Spirit and Opportunity missions.

Currently, in limited release on IMAX theaters.

www.rovingmars.com

Wow! Thanks for the link. I will have to check it out!

 

[Bigshadow]

If there was a way to generate huge amounts of long-lasting energy without the burden of having to carry enormous amounts of fuel onboard a spaceship - I know, I'm asking a lot - it would be possible to attain near light speed in a little under a year by accelerating at the same rate as earthly gravity. We could then reach the nearest stars in about 5-10 years.

I think the problem to getting to light speed is that as a body approaches light speed it's resistance gets exponentially more, which would require more energy which increases the mass which then increases the resistance. Essentially, I understood it that light speed was unattainable based on what we know of physics.

Even at light speed travel would take entirely too long. There has to be another way. There is some theory about bending space or more commonly known as "time travel". There are actually some scientists working on it. But for now, there is tons of theory but nothing concrete as far as I know of.

 

[Blotan Hunka]

Heck, we havent even returned to the moon, and when the president spoke about it it was laughed at as a political ploy, the money given to NASA gets bad press because there are "so many problems here on earth, how can we think of space travel untill we solve ALL of our problems here?". We cant even do what was accomplished in the 1960's.

Im not optimistic.

 

[dobermann]

for distances, i just say wormholes man-made. lets bend the room to take shortcuts! we just need huge gravitygenerators..

 

[Bigshadow]

for distances, i just say wormholes man-made. lets bend the room to take shortcuts! we just need huge gravitygenerators..

Sounds like fun! But just as Blotan Hunka pointed out... Unless there is a seriously radical shift in economics and politics, there won't be any large leaps in space travel. I don't believe we will see anything significant, until private corporations gets into the mix.

 

[Bigshadow]

This sounds compelling (propelling)

http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/mg18925331.200-take-a-leap-into-hyperspace.htmlhttp://www.newscientistspace.com/article/mg18925331.200-take-a-leap-into-hyperspace.html

 

[Makalakumu]

Sounds like fun! But just as Blotan Hunka pointed out... Unless there is a seriously radical shift in economics and politics, there won't be any large leaps in space travel. I don't believe we will see anything significant, until private corporations gets into the mix.

Space travel is so expensive and requires so many resources, it will never be in the realm of private corporations...especially the longer range stuff. In a way, space travel is one of those expenses like the military...it is a societal priority or it isn't.

 

[heretic888]

You are correct. Such sources as you've mentioned are not what I was referencing. It depends on what you mean by professional sources.

Peer review is the criteria for professionalism within all scientific communities.

You would imply that what the professional field portrays to each other is the same image they portray to the general public. I don't think so.

Science is portrayed to the 'general public' through pre-graduate textbooks and popular works.

What one scientist is going to say to another is not what that scientist is going to say to me. He wants recognition from his peers. He wants money from me. Two completely different pitches.

Conflating what individuals say to you in private and what the scientific community as a whole postulates is very fallacious reasoning, in my opinion.

My reference was primarily aimed towards documentories, but now you're going to make me dig up evidence to prove my point.

A few comments made by individual scientists in documentaries should not be taken as representative of their respective scientific communities.

Laterz.

 

[evenflow1121]

I dont know if we will ever live to see it that in our life time but there has to be life out there somewhere.