NASA: Upcoming news conference - Extraterrestial life confirmed?

[Zacharine]

According to the NASA homepage,

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/nov/HQ_M10-167_Astrobiology.html

there is to be a news conference on December 2nd, 2pm EST, to discuss "an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life". Science Journal is in on this, but have embargoed details until the conference.

While we are waiting for scientific facts, which I personally believe to be extraplanetary bacteria or similar single-celled organisms, let the speculation run rampant. Do we have a Tyranid invasion fleet orbiting Saturn? Have we found a Rosetta Stone made from artificial, extrasolar elements? Are the Goa'uld coming? Or have we found the proverbial mud-puddle we originated from and spread here via Panspermia?

Discuss and speculate!

 

[Choppaduel]

they found a monolith orbiting saturn.... i think

its not that huge of a find, or they'd have presented immediately upon confirmation.

 

[Something Amyss]

The Asgard have finally answered my calls for help.

 

[Pandalisk]

Spoiler

Altman Be Praised

 

[sms_117b]

they found a monolith orbiting saturn.... i think

its not that huge of a find, or they'd have presented immediately upon confirmation.

Confirmation of something massive takes a lot of time, months in some cases, lots of specialists around the world are consulted.

my guess is a insect of some kind found on an asteroid that isn't Carbon based, maybe Nitrogen......and the asteroid is headed towards Earth....Everyone get hold of Head and Shoulders!

 

[ThatPurpleGuy]

I would think maybe they have found some sort of cell or very basic organism somewhere. I mean if they find this, its almost proof (or very solid evidence)that life exists outside of earth and if its close may imply that the universe is abundant with life.

This is all speculation of course but that would be a pretty huge find. Either that or something has gone wrong with the space probe to Pluto.

 

[Duruznik]

They're using the word 'astrobiology,' so I'm psyched. Maybe they've found microscopic life on Mars? I mean, they've already found water there...

 

[Zacharine]

I would think maybe they have found some sort of cell or very basic organism somewhere. I mean if they find this, its almost proof (or very solid evidence)that life exists outside of earth and if its close may imply that the universe is abundant with life.

This is all speculation of course but that would be a pretty huge find. Either that or something has gone wrong with the space probe to Pluto.

Exactly. We've already found extrasolar planets, at least one of which could propably support life as we know it. And then there is the theoretical possibility of finding life based on something other than carbon, such as nitrogen.

Whatever it is, I expect the opening statement be of the form "Yes, there is life out there."

 

[Totaltruth]

Great find man, will be looking forward to see what comes out of this conference!

 

[ThatPurpleGuy]

I would think maybe they have found some sort of cell or very basic organism somewhere. I mean if they find this, its almost proof (or very solid evidence)that life exists outside of earth and if its close may imply that the universe is abundant with life.

This is all speculation of course but that would be a pretty huge find. Either that or something has gone wrong with the space probe to Pluto.

Exactly. We've already found extrasolar planets, at least one of which could propably support life as we know it. And then there is the theoretical possibility of finding life based on something other than carbon, such as nitrogen.

Whatever it is, I expect the opening statement be of the form "Yes, there is life out there."

I think your statement of "theoretical possibility of finding life based on something other than carbon, such as nitrogen" may be on the money. I know this is one of Steven Hawkings theories and like I said this would imply that the universe is abundant with life if it could exist from any element providing circumstances are correct. By "abundant" I don't mean on every second planet either but paves way to theories that life, similar to ours but different because of chemical composition, could potentially exist in every solar system.

Thanks for posting this man, I love this stuff and am genuinely excited to hear what this is about.

 

[Zacharine]

Thanks for posting this man, I love this stuff and am genuinely excited to hear what this is about.

You're welcome. I know I'll be paying close attention to international media around thursday

 

[Irridium]

Did they find the Prothean ruins on Mars?

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

They found dem aliens!

*cocks shotgun*

 

[Ampersand]

this could be good.

 

[Ameter]

They haven't found any life. They've either found evidence of molecules which are conducive to life in an atmosphere of some extrasolar planet, or more likely, they've found evidence of organic type molecules in molecular clouds.

 

[mad825]

extraterrestrial life?
no, never.(!)

besides it's not intelligent life.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Wouldn't WikiLeaks have leaked this by now?

 

[Zacharine]

Wouldn't WikiLeaks have leaked this by now?

Nahh, they make business from leaking sensitive and embarassing secrets. A secret that will be known to everyone in just a few days brings no money, and might derail from their current controversy.

It would be interesting thought, to see in a few years Wikileaks as an indie news agency

 

[Azaraxzealot]

Did they find the Prothean ruins on Mars?

this better not be our future... i dont want humanity to be wiped out by the reapers

i highly doubt humanity (as it is or ever will be) will ever have its "Commander Shepherd" if what we discover is anything like that

 

[AMMO Kid]

holy crap it's the reapers