The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

[slickdtc]

The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

It's amazing to think how insignificant it makes us. I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just that we aren't even a speck in the grand scheme of the universe.



And as always, my mind goes straight to thinking what other kind of life must be out there given the almost infinite places it could develop.

I think I read a facebook comment that said there is probably life out there, they drove by to see what's up, saw us being idiots and said screw it not worth it.

In these times, I don't blame 'em.

I'm very interested in what comes of this probe around Jupiter. I think there are many secrets to be revealed under all that gas. I'm frankly amazed we can even build instruments to get there and relay back information. Makes me think that there could be insanely valuable science to be discovered there, but also that us humans in our struggle for power and greed and money will find a way to not put it to its best use.

Sorry for the cynicism, all these worldly events have gotten me in such a bitter mood towards strangers. We can't have nice things. Hopefully if anything comes of these excursions in to space it's handled with care and by the right people.

[PVarck31]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

I think I read a facebook comment that said there is probably life out there, they drove by to see what's up, saw us being idiots and said screw it not worth it.

In these times, I don't blame 'em.

I'm very interested in what comes of this probe around Jupiter. I think there are many secrets to be revealed under all that gas. I'm frankly amazed we can even build instruments to get there and relay back information. Makes me think that there could be insanely valuable science to be discovered there, but also that us humans in our struggle for power and greed and money will find a way to not put it to its best use.

Sorry for the cynicism, all these worldly events have gotten me in such a bitter mood towards strangers. We can't have nice things. Hopefully if anything comes of these excursions in to space it's handled with care and by the right people.

Your're exactly right Slick. I am fearful that we will get away from science and space exploration. We are so close to unlocking the mysteries of the universe. I just hope we continue to pursue this frontier.

As far as Jupiter goes, while the planet is amazing, we need to also focus on its moons. Which is something NASA plans to do. There are moons that may harbor life around Jupiter and Saturn for that matter. We already know some of them have warm liquid water oceans under their icy surfaces.

[slickdtc]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

Definitely heard that. What I'm basing my thoughts off was an article or show where they likened the existence of life found in an under ice lake somewhere in the arctic to what could be found under the icy surfaces on either a planet (Jupiter or Saturn) or moon of one of them.

Life could very well be there, or the right conditions for it. It's a matter of uncovering it.

It's sometimes hard to remember, life isn't just intelligent. I'm not sure of the true definition, but when they talk of life it's as microscopic organisms or building blocks/conditions suitable for such things. The holy grail is intelligent/evolved life, but then it begs the question, who "found" who?

The chances are astronomical for what bred the conditions for life on Earth/the Milky Way, but it's literally been eternity. We gotta be due, right? I wonder what an event would be like... quick and painless, hopefully.

Time for bed!

[PVarck31]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

Definitely heard that. What I'm basing my thoughts off was an article or show where they likened the existence of life found in an under ice lake somewhere in the arctic to what could be found under the icy surfaces on either a planet (Jupiter or Saturn) or moon of one of them.

Life could very well be there, or the right conditions for it. It's a matter of uncovering it.

It's sometimes hard to remember, life isn't just intelligent. I'm not sure of the true definition, but when they talk of life it's as microscopic organisms or building blocks/conditions suitable for such things. The holy grail is intelligent/evolved life, but then it begs the question, who "found" who?

The chances are astronomical for what bred the conditions for life on Earth/the Milky Way, but it's literally been eternity. We gotta be due, right? I wonder what an event would be like... quick and painless, hopefully.

Time for bed!

Actually, astrobiologists are starting to think life may not be as uncommon as we once thought. We know that places like Mars, Europa, Enceladus, all have liquid water and ice, and the building blocks for life are there. Mars and Venus were once covered in water. So if we can find even microbial life in our own solar system, that would absolutely blow everything out of the water (no pun intended) when it comes to life in the universe. It would all but confirm that the universe is teaming with life.

[Knight165]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

Don't watch the Science Channels "How the Universe Works"(like the Megaflares episode).
It's scary.


M.K.
Knight165

[Jr.]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

Don't watch the Science Channels "How the Universe Works"(like the Megaflares episode).
It's scary.


M.K.
Knight165

You aren't kidding.

[BurghFan]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

Earth-like planet found orbiting Proxima Centauri

WASHINGTON — After scanning the vast reaches of the cosmos for Earth-like planets where life might exist, astronomers have found one right next door.

A planet that’s rocky like Earth and only slightly bigger has been discovered orbiting Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to our solar system, scientists reported Wednesday. It is probably in the not-too-hot, not-too-cold Goldilocks Zone where liquid water — a key to life — is possible, if the planet has an atmosphere.

And it is a mere 4.22 light-years from Earth, or nearly 25 trillion miles.

It is easily the closest potentially habitable planet ever detected outside our solar system — and one that could be reachable by tiny, unmanned space probes before the end of the century, in time for some people alive today to witness it.

The international team of astronomers that announced the discovery did not actually see the planet but deduced its existence indirectly, by using telescopes to spot and precisely calculate the gravitational pull on the star by a possible orbiting body — a tried-and-true method of planet-hunting.

[PVarck31]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

Saw this a couple days ago. This is very exciting.

Here is an open letter to the Proximans

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-new-earth-planet-proxima-solar-sun-edit-20160826-story.html

Some interesting facts about it.

It's tidal locked. So one side always faces its star, and one side is in perpetual darkness.

Its star is a red dwarf. This means that the skies are always orange and looks like sunset.

We don't know if it has an atmosphere. And even if it does, it may not have oxygen.

And they think it may be continuously bombarded with X-Rays on the side facing its star. So only the dark side may be habitable.

Its year takes 11 days. and its a bit bigger than Earth.

This could potentially be one of the biggest discoveries in the history of civilization if it is truly habitable.

[slickdtc]

The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

None of that seems conducive to living, but we're not talking about it happening tomorrow either. Cool discovery regardless!

I hated that letter. It's just all about us and how great everything we've done and made is. It just came off so condescending. I don't trust the human race to ever make contact with another species the right way. We're too selfish.

We make all these movies about aliens coming and destroying humans. Yeah right. We'd jump at the first chance to enslave and take over what's there's. Hell, we do it to our OWN species. We fight over the most trivial BS and for what?

All we want to do is get off our own rock which we've willfully attempted to destroy for our own benefit at every turn and take advantage of theirs. Here's an idea: we have the once in EVER place that supports life. How about we maintain this gift instead of being greedy and wanting more, more, more?

I'd send plants and animals to show them the real beauty of this place. Art (including music) and other things we've created. But they should know the truth about us. Yes, there is so much good, but there is a lot of really bad too. They should know what we've done over the history of mankind.

It bothers me that for as many people who are genuinely excited about what this means, there's so many unsavory people who want this for their own personal gain.

[PVarck31]

The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

Hear me now? 'Strong signal' from sun-like star sparks alien speculation - CNN
https://apple.news/AA9EaxMOCT_-SEJv0DHD7vQ.

Very interesting to say the least.


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[PVarck31]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

I mean I'm not saying it's [emoji89]. But it's [emoji89]


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[steelerfan]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

I mean I'm not saying it's [emoji89]. But it's [emoji89]


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Lol. Even the scientists disagree with you. I hold out hope but - yeah.

Great article though and good read that gets your brain working. [emoji4]

[mestevo]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

Too bad the team operating the ratio telescope didn't follow any confirmation procedures or we'd have more information.

http://cosmicdiary.org/fmarchis/2016/08/29/lets-be-careful-about-this-seti-signal/

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[PVarck31]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

So I got a minimalist solar system tattoo tonight on my arm. I'll show the actual tattoo when it heals up a little bit, its pretty rough right now. But here is the design.

Yes, I take my astronomy seriously

[Jr.]

Re: The Astronomy and Physics thread. And things of the like.

That's an awesome idea!