Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exists'

[Mafiaaffe]

Researchers at the space agency believe they have discovered vital clues that appeared to indicate that primitive aliens could be living on the moon.

Data from Nasa's Cassini probe has analysed the complex chemistry on the surface of Titan, which experts say is the only moon around the planet to have a dense atmosphere.

They suggest that life forms may have been breathing in the planet's atmosphere and also feeding on its surface's fuel.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7805069/Titan-Nasa-scientists-discover-evidence-that-alien-life-exists-on-Saturns-moon.html

NASA Sets News Conference on Astrobiology Discovery; Science Journal Has Embargoed Details Until 2 p.m. EST On Dec. 2

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

I hope this hasn,´t been posted already.

 

[MRaverz]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

If I remember correctly, I think I remember hearing about something like this before?

At least it was something to do with some chemical disappearing or something. Suggesting it was being taken up by living organisms.

However, it could well be an unknown abiotic chemical reaction.


Still with an upcoming presentation on life outside of our planet, this is a useful thing for me to mention.

 

[Nelson]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

I don't think these are directly related. That article was posted 6 months ago, and even at the time it was wild speculation. The press conference notice has only been up for a few days. Phil Plait actually just wrote a blog entry mentioning that story, and this upcoming press conference (this article is very relevant and I would encourage anyone who is curious as to what all of this is about to read it):

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/11/30/snowballing-speculation-over-a-nasa-press-conference/

People around the department have been talking about the press conference, and the general buzz (based on previous work by the researchers) is that it is likely something to do with arsenic based life on Earth. This would impact how people look for chemical signatures of extraterrestrial life, which is exactly what the short summary of the press conference says:

...to discuss an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life.

However, I think even this is a bit too much speculation. The press conference is tomorrow, so I guess the question will be answered then.

 

[Anachronous Rex]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

Well, worst case scenario, we find out something new and interesting about how hydrogen works.

Lovely.

 

[doodpersoon]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

The dutch news network NOS just reported that the NASA found life with different elementary building blocks than our own.

Where instead all the organisms we knew uses Phosphorus as a building block a small bacteria at Lake Mono (Cali) uses the poisonous Arsenic as a building block.

This could mean life originated twice on just our planet alone, this doesn't mean life must exist somewhere else (although the odds that there is outnumber the odds that there isn't). It means we aren't special any more.

 

[Krazyskooter]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

I hope it's true. I'm tired of the earth being called special, like it rides the short bus or something. I would rather we just be part of the cool crowd.

 

[MRaverz]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

Well, worst case scenario, we find out something new and interesting about how hydrogen works.

Lovely.

Worst case scenario the data is wrong.

 

[AdmiralPeacock]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

Sounds exciting!

 

[Anachronous Rex]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

Well, worst case scenario, we find out something new and interesting about how hydrogen works.

Lovely.

Worst case scenario the data is wrong.

Well yes, we do of course have to assume that this is an accurate observation, lest it turns out that they Hydrogen was just hiding.

 

[GenesForLife]

Re: Nasa scientists discover evidence 'that alien life exist

The dutch news network NOS just reported that the NASA found life with different elementary building blocks than our own.

Where instead all the organisms we knew uses Phosphorus as a building block a small bacteria at Lake Mono (Cali) uses the poisonous Arsenic as a building block.

This could mean life originated twice on just our planet alone, this doesn't mean life must exist somewhere else (although the odds that there is outnumber the odds that there isn't). It means we aren't special any more.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but phylogeny puts it as an ordinary proteobacterium, apparently.
And it must be noted that it actually grows better in the presence of phosphorus when that is incorporated.
The only thing special about this thing is that while arsenic is toxic to other organisms because it binds similarly to phosphorus but cannot be processed, this one can.

It isn't even different elementary building blocks , it is just one substitution, which didn't stop the muppets at gizmodo to say it was "completely different"