extraterrestrial
Speculation, theory, UFOs and Aliens. Are we alone in this universe or is there life outside Earth?
Contact
First contact could have gone better. The beings visiting Earth had learned how to leave behind their physical bodies so long ago that the idea of an awakened mind being tethered to meat was at best quaint, and frankly, a little disgusting to them. How could one explore infinite space, or spend the required centuries on the really worthwhile philosophical questions, when still stuck in all that biomass? Still, they were impressed with the progress, and more importantly the potential, they saw in humanity. The generational march forward of knowledge and thought was a revelation to creatures that had decoupled from the freight engine of biological evolution so long ago. They reasoned that once these Earthlings had been taught how to leave their husks behind, the addition of their billions to galactic exploration would inject these efforts with a new energy . It was so rare for a species to make the leap to true sentience, let alone maintain it. So many self-destructive habits inevitably accompanied reaching this state while still trapped in physical form. Only one species in a million could do it. The beings were going to help humanity leave their millennia of conflict behind, bring a new utopia, and make the galaxy a richer place. If only they could make contact . . .
By Byondhelp Photography9 years ago in Futurism
Nearby 'Super-Earth' Exoplanet May Be Best Place Yet to Search for Alien Life
Just recently, an exo-planetary system called TRAPPIST-1, with seven known planets close in size to Earth, was announced by astronomers. Some of those planets are in the star's habitable zone, meaning that they could potentially be habitable for some kind of life. Then, another Earth-sized world was found orbiting the star GJ 1132b, and may have water and methane in its atmosphere. Now, another similar planet has been found orbiting another nearby star. It is also close in size to Earth and resides in the star's habitable zone. According to scientists, it is another prime candidate in the search for alien life and may even be the best one yet.
By Paul Scott Anderson9 years ago in Futurism
New Findings from Two 'Ocean Moons' Increase Possibility of Finding Alien Life
For those who are hoping to find evidence of life somewhere else in the Solar System, there was some exciting news this week. Two moons, Europa and Enceladus, were already thought to be among the best places to search, since both have liquid water oceans beneath their outer icy shells. And now, new data from the Cassini spacecraft and the Hubble Space Telescope has increased the potential for some form of living organisms to be found.
By Paul Scott Anderson9 years ago in Futurism
Space The Final Frontier
Since the dawn of man, mankind has always looked up to the heavens and pondered that ageless question whether we are alone or are there other life forms some where out there in the Universe. From the first time man noticed those shining stars above we have become fascinated by what is really out there.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in Futurism
Alex The Inventor-Chapter 10 (Pt.1)
Read Chapters 1 - 9 at: Deep Sky Stories No Tears Wasted... The cavern opened up before Alex immediately upon stepping inside it. It wasn't a naturally made cavern or cave though, rather a huge, domed structure overhead with deep blue gemstone lights which shone sharply down over everything. Although they were underground and still on Earth, the effect of being on another world was complete and quite striking to behold.The most obvious difference was the deeper blue "sky" that the glittering dome simulated. The plain white of Alex's spacesuit stood out in sharp contrast to the reddish-colored dry sand and pebbles he quietly walked upon. The next thing that became very noticeable was that the thinner atmosphere brought a sharper clarity to everything around him, such as the keen, black shadows they cast as they proceeded farther inside. All was silent, save for the sound of his own footfalls coming up through the spacesuit and his breathing inside the helmet. The quiet rhythm of atmospheric controls within the suit reassured Alex that all was well. The artificial biosphere he found himself in was really quite a beautiful place though a desolate and other-worldly one under the cold, clear sky.Looking over at Rainah, Alex smiled through his bubble and playfully reached over to brush his hand through her softly thrashing hair-quills. But the hairs parted before his hand as if they were sensitive undersea coral creatures. Rainah shied away and sent a teasing laugh into his puzzled mind.After they had walked a little further inside, Alex paused to look down at the pebbly soil at his feet. To his surprise, he began to notice small patches here and there of greenish brown moss-like vegetation, clinging to the rocks and peeking out of the arid soil. So, this place wasn't all just dry, empty sand after all. They did look like rather scruffy and pathetic little things though. Rainah came silently up by his side and looked down at the small, sand-dusted plants.
By G.F. Brynn9 years ago in Futurism
Connecting the Simulation Theory and Transcension Theory
As scientists gather more evidence, the idea that we are living in a simulation is beginning to look less like a fringe theory among sci-fi nerds and more like a legitimate explanation for the universe. The simulation theory, however, might end up connecting yet another fringe theory that attempts to explain the seeming silence of the universe -- a silence generally referred to as Fermi’s Paradox.
By Matt Swayne9 years ago in Futurism
Atmosphere Detected on Nearby 'Super-Earth' Exoplanet
For the first time, astronomers have detected an atmosphere surrounding a "super-Earth" exoplanet which is close in size to Earth, another key step towards finding a world similar in size to ours that is also habitable. It's not Earth 2.0 just yet, but it's another indication that we are getting closer to finding a world that reminds us of home.
By Paul Scott Anderson9 years ago in Futurism
Researchers Identify Four Possible Candidates in Search for Planet 9
The search for a possible ninth planet in our Solar System has intensified in recent months, with more astronomers as well as amateurs joining in the hunt. Previous studies have hinted at its existence, but actually finding it has remained an elusive task. Now, astronomers from The Australian National University (ANU) are investigating four unknown objects in the outer Solar System that could be viable candidates for the mystery planet.
By Paul Scott Anderson9 years ago in Futurism
Mars May Have Once Had Rings, and Could Have Them Again in the Future
Saturn is, of course, famous for its exquisite ring system, but other planets have rings as well - Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune all have them, they just aren't nearly as prominent. Now it turns out that Mars may also have once had rings, and could have them again in the future.
By Paul Scott Anderson9 years ago in Futurism
Alex The Inventor-Chapter 9 (Pt.2)
Chapters 1 - 8 can be read at: Deep Sky Stories Chapter 9 (Part 2) - The Other Boy Looking through the thick green glass of the curved tube was an amazing experience all on its own because Alex could see all the layers of soil and rock passing by above and all around him. He and his companions were sliding slowly enough to allow them to catch glimpses here and there of life below the earth.There were, of course, the usual wriggling earthworms making their way slowly across the clear glass in search of food. Then - a surprise - a small, cozy den with a family of rabbits slumbered peacefully together against the glass wall. Alex felt soft gusts of warm air coming up the tube from somewhere below. This warm air must have attracted many little underground creatures who took advantage of it by cozying up against the outside of the glass.Next to pass by above his head was a swiftly burrowing mole, lying with its belly flat against the glass while digging with vigorous swimming motions through its element. The mole vanished suddenly into the dark, cool soil as its thin, sensitive nose led it away somewhere toward some morsel of food.
By G.F. Brynn9 years ago in Futurism
Bright 'Tower' in Mars Orbiter Image: Anomaly or Natural Formation?
With thousands of images taken by various probes sent to Mars, it would seem inevitable that unusual or puzzling objects might be seen in some of them. And of course, there have been, most notably the famous "Face on Mars" first seen in low-resolution Viking orbiter images in the 1970s. Higher-resolution images taken later by other orbiters with better cameras showed it, and nearby interesting formations, to be just natural hills and mesas. Despite that, other curious things are seen in both orbital and ground images from time to time, although they almost always have a simple prosaic explanation. Another such oddity was just recently seen in an image taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which has attracted some attention. Most likely it is a natural rock formation, but it's also not, as described by the tabloid Daily Mail, a "spherule" either.
By Paul Scott Anderson9 years ago in Futurism
Alex The Inventor-Chapter 9
Read Chapters 1 - 8 at: Deep Sky Stories Chapter 9 (Part 1) - Down The Glass Tunnel "Ow", Alex grunted thickly and for good reason, his hands felt like they had touched a hot stove. He could only remember the bright flash of sparks and something like a large fist punching him backwards. He knew though that he had killed an evil thing and had saved Rainah. That more than made the pain worth it.
By G.F. Brynn9 years ago in Futurism
