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Today, March 9, 2006, scientists have officially confirmed that water has been found on another body then that of the Earth. Liquid water geyesers have been discovered, creating plumes. This is a defining moment in Human history, and will go down in the record books.
So, any thoghts? Who knows if it holds microbial life. Highly doubtable, but possible.
Note, the other body is Enceladus, Saturn's sixth largest moon.
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That's what I get for reloading the page to make sure a link hasn't already been posted before I post my link. Posts: 1547 | Registered: Jan 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Princess Leah: My thoughts: I don't think it was "official". We've already "discovered" water on the moon and on Mars in the past...but no.
We have discovered water on other bodies before, but if I'm not mistaken, the "water" on the Moon, Mars and Jupiter's Moon Europa was water in solid form, aka ice.
Liquid water is considered one of the main conditions necessary for the existence of life. Today's discovery marks the first time, I beleive, that water, in liquid form, has been discovered anywhere other than Earth.
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Actually it is speculated that liquid water IS underneath the Europan surface. This is the first time, we have PROOF, actual physical proof.
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I thought we already knew there might be water on Europa? And anyways, SWEET! Finally the chance ot refute almost all Earth religons with the existance of other life forms!
(not that the Republicans won't nuke it so that they stay right) Posts: 1941 | Registered: Dec 2005
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Actually, that will be interesting. I think it will be MORE interesting, when we encounter INTELLIGENT Extraterrestrial life.
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quote:Finally the chance ot refute almost all Earth religons with the existance of other life forms!
Not mine. In fact, my *Christian* church doctrinally believes that there is *definitely* intelligent life on other worlds. Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
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I know MPH, but sometimes I wonder if such scientific discoveries would change the way we view religon. And beverly, are you sure?
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Well, yes. I am wondering more so how someone like the pope would handle it, and what he would do.
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There's a big difference between wondering about religion and making asinine statements about it.
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Well, Duh. But then, it is just a book. It may be right, it may be wrong. I would be very interested in what they would do. It probably would follow along those lines though...
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Well as old as most popes are, he might have a heart attack. then he'd pray to God for guidance for... I don't know maybe a week.
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quote:Originally posted by Advent 115: Well as old as most popes are, he might have a heart attack. then he'd pray to God for guidance for... I don't know maybe a week.
I don't think you are posting many respectful coments towards the religions of others, Advent.
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Keep in mind that newbies in the past that come in slamming religions get smacked down pretty quick. You may not feel respect organized religion, but it is common courtesy to others to at least feign respect.
Besides, as you learn more about religions and the actual people in them, you might change your views a bit.
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She does have a point. I however, think we should move back to a happier subject. Water=life. I undoubtedly, think there are microbes on Encledus. How do you pronounce that?
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Nope. I will never be converted or respect them. But I will try to keep my mouth shut. *zippers mouth shut*
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Respect is something all deserve, no matter what, Advent. Why, evem Hitler would deserve repsect. And those who don't like G.W.B. should still give him respect.
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Whether or not you are converted to anything is your choice and perogative. But it is a good idea to learn to respect a variety of viewpoints that differ from your own. You are far more likely to receive respect from others.
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The ice water on Europa is believed to be merely a crust, underneath which ocean's of liquid water may exist.
Martian water is frozen at the caps, but it's hoped that much more might exist beneath the surface, possibly, though not likely, in liquid form.
As for the moon, I've never heard there actually being water on the moon. But there is hydrogen, which makes it likely that water could be created on the surface.
Europa is the only source of possible liquid water on the solar system other than earth at the moment I believe. Enceledus' water is subsurface, much as Europa's is believed to be. Once the water there hits the surface it instantly freezes and becomes part of one of the rings around Saturn.
Until they can get a probe to the surface though, everything is still speculation.
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I would expect simple Microbes that are either bacteria, or something very similar to them would be found. Or, maybe we will find none. Current evidence shows that once the conditions were right on Earth, simple life appeared, followed by the cambrian explosion. No one knows what "caused" life. What "sparked" it.
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Good point Lyrhawn. But my question is do you expect multi or sigular cell organisms. I think there is a good posability of multi, considering that life on these places have had just as much time to evolve as us. (not intelegent, but at least multicellular)
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Not entirely. Earth is 4 Billion years old, and very stable. Enceladus is kind of on the fritz, and unpredictable. It is extreme;y likely, IMO that we will find Microbial life in the solar system in the 30 years.
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Two probes have tentatively discovered ice at the poles of the moon. But at least one scientist involved still thinks of the discovery as unconfirmed.
Although Europa is widely believed to have water under ground, AFAIK there is only indirect evidence for it.
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It is generally accpeted that Europa has salty oceans. And, well, if... you have water, and salty oceans, and...water, you get life.
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Well I think that has more to do with the heat our planet is exposed to. But I was thinking that at least a Microscopic multicellular organisms may have formed. Not complex but at least addapting to their enviroment very slowly. And I really hope it won't take that long. I want my children to grow up never knowing of a time of us not knowing of other life forms on other worlds (at least a bacteria, I mean somethin at least!)
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Thus when it really comes down to it, ice on any other stellar body is only theoretical, despite the proof we have. Until we get an actual probe, on the surface to do a test, we won't know for sure.
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Besides Mars. We KNOW Mars has ice. And yes, EVERYTHING in science in theoretical. Can we really prove black and white holes exist untill we send a probe to be destroyed? That Mercury really exists untill we send a probe to its surface. Can we REALLY prove extrasolar planets exist untill we send probes to land on them?
I think you get my point...
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I hate to spoil the party, but the presence of water does not imply the presence of life. Heck, we're not even certain that it is a necessity for life.
So far, we know of one planet on which life has evolved. That is not nearly enough information to make these kinds of general statements.
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That is a point I commonly like to make. We say this, because our life is completely dependant on water, and cannot exist without it. We are trying to search for things like us. Also, I always say that science is too limiting. Ammonia based life forms could exist.
Technically two. Mars COULD have, and probably DID have life, IMO.
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I didn't mean in the sense that gravity is still a theory or anything like that. Enceladus and Europa have never had a probe land on the surface. There's just a good chance there's water there, but when we land there may not be at all. It's an opinion of a photograph and some sketchy scans, but it isn't a lock.
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), but I think others should know.
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In fact, my *Christian* church doctrinally believes that there is *definitely* intelligent life on other worlds. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
