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S.E.T.I. and the U.F.O. Enigma |
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Basically, it all comes down to whether you want to believe that we are alone in the universe, or that we are but one of many species of being that inhabits the cosmos. This is a debate that will probably continue on until we finally have some kind of proof or concrete evidence that without a doubt satisfies all of the questions concerning extraterrestrial life. But, what exactly is extraterrestrial life? Certainly, by using a broad brushstroke we could declare that anything from an alien bacterium to a thinking being is extraterrestrial life. I think most people would be much more greatly concerned with the latter.
Questions. Are we alone in the universe? Are we now or have we in the past been visited by beings from another world? Did life evolve on this planet in the way it has because of interference or influence from another civilization? While these questions may seem to be a bit beyond the realm of possibility and perhaps are even pointless; nonetheless, inquiry into any subject is worthwhile if you wish to find the truth concerning any subject. And so, let us give it a try. |
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The Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence |
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The SETI program is one designed to detect other intelligent civilizations in the cosmos through the use of radio signals. By assuming that other lifeforms have evolved far enough along to develop radio communication and that they are possibly a million years more advanced than we are; then these signals shlould have been travelling throughout space for that million year period. Astronomers try to detect these signals with the use of the radio telescope. While there have been no definite repeating signals detected over the years, there have been some close calls. Certainly, this search is like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack, but if we do not try, then certainly we will never know. These people that search should be commended for their effort and who knows, maybe one day we will discover that we are not alone in the universe. |
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Read the debate at Astrobiology Magazine concerning the likelihood of life in space with Debate with Donald Brownlee, Frank Drake, David Grinspoon, Christopher McKay, Michael Meyer, and Peter Ward. Good discussion with a variety of opinions. Click HERE to go to that page. |
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The Drake Equation
N = N* fp ne fl fi fc fL |
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N* is number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy
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fp is the fraction of stars with planets around them.
ne is the number of planets per star capable of sustaining life.
fl is the fraction of planets in ne where life evolves
fi is the fraction of fl where intelligent life evolves.
fc is the fraction of fi that communicate
fL is fraction of the planet's life during which the communicating civilizations live.. |
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This equation was developed by astronomer Frank Drake in 1961 as a means of determining how many intelligent, communicating civilizations there might be in the Milky Way galaxy. The variables are somewhat speculative(try plugging in your own numbers), but conservative figures could place the number of communicating civilizations at anywhere from 100,000 to 1 million. |
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N = the number of communicating civilizations. |
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Frank Drake |
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LINKS |
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SOME IMPORTANT DATES
IN S.E.T.I. HISTORY |
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1931 - Radio Astronomy "discovered" by Bell Labs physicist Karl Jansky.
1959 - First proposal to look - Cocconi and Morrision
1960 - Frank Drake begins Project Ozma, the first search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Two stars, Tau Ceti and Epsilon Eridani are observed for two weeks.
1961 - Drake Equation is created for the first SETI conference.
1967 - Discovery of pulsars cause false alarm
1971 - First international SETI conference is held at the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory in Armenia, USSR.
1977 - The WOW SIGNAL detected. |
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The Quest For Extraterrestrial Intelligence
by
Carl Sagan |
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ARECIBO RADIO OBSERVATORY |
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BIG EAR RADIO OBSERVATORY |
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THE S.E.T.I. INSTITUTE |
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Of course, there are other opinions. Peter Ward, a paleontologist and Donald Brownlee, an astronomer have written a new book entitled Rare Earth in which the idea is put forth that life in the universe is very rare indeed. In fact, their thesis suggests that with the exception of a few microbes scattered on a planet here and there, we are probably the only living organisms in the universe.They do propose some interesting hypotheses and their arguments appear to be sound, but maybe they are being too pessimistic. Check out the link to the right for information and reviews. |
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UFOs? |
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Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
-Carl Sagan |
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What are they? Figments of people's imaginations, hoaxes, misidentified phenomena, or travellers from other worlds. I do not claim to have the answer to this question, but I do know that on two or three occasions that I and others with me saw objects in the sky that we could not identify or even try to explain. Basically, I am a skeptic, but I do try to have an open mind in this area and therefore I have provided some links, both pro and con, to check out. |
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UFO LINKS |
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Center for U.F.O. Studies |
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The Debunker's Domain |
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The UFO Skeptic's Page |
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Mutual UFO Network |
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UFO Watchdog |
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National UFO Reporting Center |
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International UFO Museum at Roswell N.M. |
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UFO News Today |
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RETURN TO ASTRONOMY |
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