Methods of Search for Alien Life Forms
Published by Are we alone in the universe? Are there any living intelligent creatures in space? These questions are sure charming! For many years these questions were only a subject of science fiction, but nowadays real scientists are searching for extraterrestrial intelligence in the universe. This is an article about the methods of the search for alien life forms in the universe.
Possible Basis of ET
All life on the planet Earth requires special conditions. Life requires many minerals like: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus as well as numerous other elements in smaller amounts. Another basic need for life is water. Many scientists believe that Earth was made of relatively abundant chemical elements formed from stars which have ended their lives as supernova and that it is very probable that there other planets which were formed in a similar way. The huge number of galaxies and planets has also inspired the believe of ET life forms.
Search for ET Life Forms
Believe in ET was a popular believe throughout the ages and has inspired variety of media forms and scientific interest. Throughout the last century many modern ways of search for ET were developed.
There are two main ways of searching for ET – direct and indirect search.
Direct Search
Scientists are directly searching for any form of life in the solar system by examining surface of possible to reach planets. Another way of direct search is examining meteors that have fallen to earth. This method has many advantages. Firstly it is possible to gain much more information than in indirect search methods, because it is possible to examine the surface of the planet, atmosphere (if it exists) and look for clues of water and other important chemical elements. Secondly it is easier to detect life forms and traces of them by being on the planet itself . However, our current technology is not advanced enough to travel to further planets.
The world of science was shaken when in 1996 structures resembling nanobacteria were found in a meteorite from Mars. However, the evidence was very controversial and scientists still argue if it’s solid.
Indirect Search
Scientists theorize that an advance civilization in space would transmit information to outer space in some form. However, we’re not sure if this theory is right, furthermore it’s obvious that not intelligent life forms cannot be detected by observing signals from space. Also there have been suggestions that advanced civilizations may be using optic lasers to transmit signals, however research of radio signals are dominating the field right now. Nevertheless, projects such as SETI are conducting an astronomical search for radio activity in outer space. SETI or Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence is a project with an aim of finding ET intelligence in space by examining radio signals from space. SETI@home is a unique project that examines radio signals from space by using home computers of people from all around the world. The best part is that you can download SETI@home and use a small part of your computer power to help the search for ET.
Link of SETI@home: http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/
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Current Results
So far scientists haven’t found any 100% evidence of Extra-Terrestrial life forms. There are some controversial evidence of nanobacteria mostly from meteors from Mars, however many scientists do not agree that it solid evidence. Still, the search continues, and experts hope to find strong evidence of alien life forms in the following decades.
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Thank you for reading!
Liked it
On April 12, 2010 at 2:19 pm
But what I really wanna know .. is there really an ‘Area 51′?? ~ very good Silentbob14 aka Catman .. hehe
On April 12, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Well it beats me
though I wish there was such a place 
On April 13, 2010 at 11:47 am
Interesting how the discovery of bizarre life forms on Earth, such as the “hot vents” in the oceans, and the frozen tundra critters, have broadened the possibilities of life elsewhere.
Other than a few mistakes in grammar, this was an interesting article. Thanks, Bob.
On April 13, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Wow that’s very interesting, I enjoyed reading this article.
On June 16, 2010 at 2:11 am
Yes very well put together!