NASA releases new tips for finding alien life

washingtonpost.com ^ | September 13 | Abby Phillip

[BenLurkin]

The good news is that, despite trying very hard to come up with false positives, researchers only found a few to look out for: oxygen, ozone and methane.

As lone wolves, these molecules were thought to be signs of life all by themselves, but it turns out they can be produced inorganically -- that is, in the absence of anything living as we know it.

Your best bet is to look for them together.

"Our research strengthens the argument that methane and oxygen together, or methane and ozone together, are still strong signatures of life," said Shawn Domagal-Goldman of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland and the study's lead author. "We tried really, really hard to make false-positive signals for life, and we did find some, but only for oxygen, ozone, or methane by themselves."

Use the dorm-room pizza test

Think of the relationship between methane and oxygen as you would the relationship between pizza and college kids. Methane won't last long in a room full of oxygen just like you wouldn't expect pizza to last long in a room full of cheap, hungry students.

[molson209]

If he keeps asking for strawberry ice cream ?

[MeganC]

NASA could try investigating our southern border, I hear they’ll find some alien life there.

[Steely Tom]

NASA releases new tips for finding alien life

Look for someone who bows to mecca five times a day?

[Dallas59]

[BenLurkin]

It’s been a long time since I first heard that the aliens like strawberry ice cream. A guy named Maccabee made that claim IIRC.

[Da Coyote]

To find alien life:
1. Go to the White House.
2. Ring the bell.

[DannyTN]

• If they look Mexican.
• If they use a social security number that belongs to someone else, or to nobody.
• If they run when an INS truck rolls down the street.
• If they are crossing the border at other than established check points.

[Brother Cracker]

Once you find it you got to stun it

[eyedigress]

That is secret information.

[Talisker]

Why do we need NASA to look for alien life? We're surrounded by it!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

I looked up the definition of the word “retard” and that guy’s picture was right there next to the definition.

[Marko413]

How do you offer tips in something you have never succeeded in?

[aMorePerfectUnion]

"If you see an alien, say something!" NASA

[Dallas59]

That’s in Washington too.

[right way right]

That episode alsays reminded me of Moms meat loaf.

[Vaquero]

[Vaquero]

See 17

[Ouchthatonehurt]

I’d just like to know what any of this has to do with the self esteem of the Muslim world!

[Sirius Lee]

Speaking of pizza, my topping is running away, help!