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Topic starter
We need your help please!
On Monday 11th May we will holding our usual monthly lecture at the National Maritime Museum. This time however, it'll be a little different!
We will be welcoming Dr Chris Lintott and Dr Marek Kukula back to our society to debate the possibility of extraterrestrial life in both intelligent and microbial form. The session will be chaired by Dr Louisa Preston.
Have you any questions on this topic that you're burning to ask?
Please submit your questions by posting a reply below by Friday 27th March to ensure that they can be put forward for the debate.
Posted : 18/03/2015 4:25 pm
What values would each of you assign to the components of the Drake equation?
Posted : 18/03/2015 4:54 pm
1) Given the time scale of evolution from single celled organisms to An intelligent life form i.e. Humans here on Earth and given that it has only been 55 years since we first left the surface of the planet, would not the Fermi paradox be closer to reality than the Drake equation?
2) Though there is a belief that all the stars in our Galaxy will have at least one planet, is it not the case that it is only planets in the habitable zones around G class main sequence stars i.e. sun like, that would possibly allow the evolution of complex life forms even up to intelligent life?
3) Tectonic plates have played a key role in the evolution of life on earth is there evidence of tectonic plate movement on terrestrial other planets ?
4) apart from water what other conditions are needed for life to exist on another body in the universe?
5) If the asteroid had not wiped out the dinosaurs would intelligent life have emerged on earth?
6) For life to exist in a universe does it have to be part of a multiverse?
A few questions Christina for you to select from. Brian
Posted : 18/03/2015 4:58 pm
Questions I'd ask would be:
What signals are we searching for? How much of the galaxy are we certain aren't producing these? Should we be searching for anything else?
Could gamma ray burst mean we're only likely to find life at the edges of the galaxy?
How can amateur astronomers contribute to the search for ET?
Posted : 21/03/2015 1:40 pm
It has been proposed that we could search for alien civilisations by detecting the heat emitted from their planets, the basic idea being that a sufficiently advanced civilisation will produce more power on its planet than it receives from its parent star. It has been suggested that "given a large enough telescope — and one that’s designed specifically for infrared detection — astronomers could scan the heavens for planets within a 60 light-year radius”. (The proposed Colossus telescope ?).
What is your view as to whether this would be a viable means of searching for intelligent life amongst our neighbouring star systems?
Posted : 26/03/2015 2:46 pm
Topic starter
Thanks all for submitting questions. This is very helpful and much appreciated!
They have been passed on to our guest speakers for consideration.
Posted : 28/03/2015 11:52 am
Maybe by the time of the lecture the debate will be over
Posted : 31/03/2015 10:43 pm
For some reason this hyperlink was lost in my last post
Posted : 31/03/2015 10:45 pm
Topic starter
NASA held a press conference yesterday afternoon on the 'Search for Water and Habitable Planets,' which was broadcasted on NASA TV as it happened. It was really interesting!
It's being repeated right now so if you find yourselves with a spare hour, I'd recommend it! Scientists discuss the search for life in our solar system and beyond.
Posted : 08/04/2015 2:06 pm
