Lecture 1 Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction
Fundamental Questions In General regarding the course:

1. Why Are We Here?
2. Are We Alone?
Question We Will ask about Planets:

• What are they like?
• Are they habitable?
• Do they host life?
NATS 1880 Learning Goals:

1. Explain the scientific method, to communicate basic scientific ideas clearly and concisely
both orally and in writing.
2. Discuss the microscopic (i.e., biochemical) and macroscopic (i.e., evolutionary and
environmental) requirements for life on Earth and where these likely exist elsewhere in our
universe.
3. Be familiar with the characteristics of intelligence, be able to apprehend the probability
that another intelligent species exists concurrently in our Galaxy, and to appreciate what its
discovery would mean for humankind.
4. Describe and assess the advantages and challenges associated with active searches for
an extraterrestrial intelligence (e.g., rocket technologies, search strategies, physical
limitations), and passive searches (e.g., using radio technologies).
5. Argue the ethical implications for and against the colonization of other planets in the
universe and to take an informed position on relevant societal issues such as climate
change.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning in developing ideas and in assessing
reference sources, as well as to criticize constructively
- Textbook not required, but recommended. I
dont think exam or test information will be
based on it. Keep an eye out.
- Weekly office hours zoom also has email for
personal or urgent. There is discussion form
for subject matter.
Class 1 - Universe Of Life:
Course Defining Question: Is There Life Beyond Earth?
A philosopher might say…. “A single ear of wheat in a large field is as strange as a single
world in infinite space.” - Metrodorus of Chios (4th Century B.C.)
(Does an entire universe needs to be created just to have a single planet that can hold life)
A science fiction writer might say… “Sometimes I think we’re alone in the universe, and
sometimes I think we’re not. In either case, the idea is quite staggering.” – Sir Arthur C.
Clarke
(Maybe there is maybe there isint but whatever the answer it will be profound)
An astronomer might say…. “The exoplanets and extremophiles are pointing out that there
is a lot more potentially habitable real estate out there than we ever imagined.” – Jill Tartar
(SETI)
(Statistical answer, unlikely life exists anywhere else)
In My Opinion: I say it is very difficult to draw a conclusion without examining all possibilities
first.
What Are We Searching For?
What do we mean by ”life”?

• Simple, complex, or intelligent
• Earth-like or alien
• Life is difficult to define
- Reproduction? (Well crystals can reproduce)
- Movement and Growth? (Fire can move around and grow)
HENCE, We can use Earth as a starting

point!
- Wide range of life-forms, but just one planet
What do we think we know?
• No macroscopic life in the solar system

• Microbial life in the solar system possible (viruses, cellular life forms, etc)
• Many potentially habitable worlds have been discovered beyond our solar system
• No detection of past or present habitability beyond Earth
• Capabilities are growing!
Future plans:
- Send a Robotic Submarine to the largest moon of saturn, Titan. Cause titan
has lakes of liquid methane, strong possibility of life in those lakes, microbil
life.
- Starshot: Breakthrough Starshot program aims to send nanocrafts to other
star systems!
The Search for Life Beyond Earth:

● Interdisciplinary Approach (considering different points of view, comparing
and contrasting them)
● Astronomy
● Planetary Science (including geology and atmospheric science)
● Biology
1. Astronomy
● Earth is not special
- Universal Laws of Physics
- Nothing unique about our place in the Galaxy or the Universe
● 200 Billion, Trillion stars in the Universe

- At least as many planets (if not more)
- • e.g. Kepler 11 has at least 6 known planets
Planetary Science
● How do planets form?
- A natural by-product of star formation
● How and why do planets differ?

- Rocky vs “Gas” planet
- Atmosphere
- Geological Activity
- Composition
Astronomy and Planetary Science come together to answer the question:

- What makes A World habitable?
Biology
● Universal Laws of Biology?
- Only have one reference point: Earth
● Early Earth chemistry can lead to the formation of organic molecules

- Also seen in meteorites and clouds of gas in interstellar space
● Transition from Chemistry to Biology
not terribly difficult?
● Microscopic life exists over a wide

range of conditions
- e.g. extremophiles
Biology Comes Toegther to answer the

question:
- Do we expect life to be rare or common
in the universe?
Where should we search for life in the Universe?
Anywhere with the “Ingredients” for Life

1. A liquid or solvent (i.e. water) seems important
2. Heat (i.e. Sun)
3. Time
- Need to develop complex molecules
4. Protection
- Harmful radiation for space (i.e. atmosphere)
Our Own Solar System

1. Planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, comets
- Evidence for past surface water flow on Mars
- Evidence for sub-surface water on Mars and several moons
● EX: (Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, Enceladus)
- Thick atmosphere and methane lakes on Titan
● Protection and solvents
● Alien life?
Beyond Our Solar System
1. Statistically more likely

2. Difficult due to distances to other stars
- Spacecraft travel time of 100,000 years to the nearest stars
3. Telescopes can find planets and measure basic properties

- Spectral analysis just now a reality
Could aliens be searching for us?
Direct Communication
1. Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute
- Search for alien signals from intelligent lifeforms
2. Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligence

- Send signals to aliens
Should we be contacting extraterrestrials?
Pursuit of the answer to the fundamental question

- “Are we alone in the Universe?”
● Peace or War
- Humanity does not have the best track record
- A unified Earth?
● Knowledge exchange
- Medical, environmental, philosophical
- Weapons
How do we study the possibility of life beyond Earth?
Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Science

1. Studying the conditions conductive to the origin and ongoing existence of life
2. Looking for such conditions on other planets in our solar system and around other
stars
3. Looking for the actual occurrence of life elsewhere
Learning Goals
1. Describe the roles played by many science disciplines in the science of
astrobiology
Astrobiology is a science that involves several fields working together to answer the
question: Is there life beyond Earth?
1. Astronomy: Helps us understand the universe, the stars, and planets, and shows
that Earth isn’t unique. It also allows us to find planets that might support life.
2. Planetary Science: Studies how planets form and what makes them different. It
helps us figure out which planets have the right conditions (like atmosphere, water,
and heat) to support life.
3. Biology: Looks at life on Earth as a model, especially the smallest and most extreme
life forms (like extremophiles). It asks how life starts and if it can happen elsewhere.
These disciplines work together, comparing their findings to get a full picture of
where life might exist.
2. Describe the characteristics of the search we are embarking upon
- We’re looking for any form of life—simple, complex, or intelligent.
- It could be life like what we know on Earth or something totally alien.
- We start by looking for the basic "ingredients" for life: liquid water or a solvent, a
source of heat, and time to develop.
- We're searching within our solar system (like Mars, Europa, Titan) and beyond (on
distant exoplanets).
- Example: Telescopes and robotic missions will help us gather information. The
distances make this search slow and challenging, but the potential is huge.
3. Illustrate how our civilization might change following the discovery of an

extra-terrestrial intelligence
If we discover intelligent life beyond Earth, it could change everything.
- It would answer one of humanity’s biggest questions: Are we alone?
- We could gain new knowledge—about medicine, technology, the environment, and even
philosophy.
- It might force us to unite as a planet, especially when deciding how to communicate or

interact with extraterrestrials.
- But there’s also the possibility of fear—will they be peaceful or dangerous? History shows
humans don’t always handle contact well. It would be a profound moment with massive
social, political, and scientific implications

Lecture 1 Introduction

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 1 Introduction

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 1 Introduction

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 1 Introduction

Fundamental Questions In General regarding the course:

Question We Will ask about Planets:

NATS 1880 Learning Goals:

Course Defining Question: Is There Life Beyond Earth?

(Statistical answer, unlikely life exists anywhere else)

What Are We Searching For?

What do we mean by ”life”?

HENCE, We can use Earth as a starting

What do we think we know?

• No macroscopic life in the solar system

The Search for Life Beyond Earth:

● 200 Billion, Trillion stars in the Universe

● How and why do planets differ?

Astronomy and Planetary Science come together to answer the question:

● Early Earth chemistry can lead to the formation of organic molecules

● Microscopic life exists over a wide

Biology Comes Toegther to answer the

Where should we search for life in the Universe?

Anywhere with the “Ingredients” for Life

Our Own Solar System

Beyond Our Solar System

1. Statistically more likely

3. Telescopes can find planets and measure basic properties

2. Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Should we be contacting extraterrestrials?

Pursuit of the answer to the fundamental question

How do we study the possibility of life beyond Earth?

Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Science

2. Describe the characteristics of the search we are embarking upon

- We’re looking for any form of life—simple, complex, or intelligent.

- It could be life like what we know on Earth or something totally alien.

3. Illustrate how our civilization might change following the discovery of an

If we discover intelligent life beyond Earth, it could change everything.

- It would answer one of humanity’s biggest questions: Are we alone?

- It might force us to unite as a planet, especially when deciding how to communicate or

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.