NASA telescope spots ingredients for life in young universe

AP on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 7/28/05 | AP - Pasadena

[NormsRevenge]

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - A NASA telescope has spotted galaxies that hold the ingredients for life dating back to when the universe was very young.

Using the infrared Spitzer Space Telescope, scientists at the California Institute of Technology detected organic molecules in galaxies when the universe was a quarter of its current age of 14 billion years old, NASA said Thursday.

These complex molecules, composed of carbon and hydrogen, are commonly found on Earth and are thought to be responsible for planet and star formation.

Spitzer scientists found the organic building blocks in galaxies where intense star formation took place in a short period of time. These starburst galaxies are not visible to optical telescopes because of their distance and light-absorbing dust.

Results will appear in the Aug. 10 issue of the Astrophysical Journal.

Previous scientists have found such galaxies and molecules that were closer to the Milky Way galaxy.

"These complex compounds tell us that by the time we see these galaxies, several generations of stars have already been formed," said co-author George Helou of the Spitzer Science Center.

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On the Net:

Spitzer Space Telescope: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/

[Black Tooth]

Just in case someone doesn't provide the answer anytime soon, the recent estimate, per theory of course, is that the universe is 1018 larger than the part we can see with the Hubble.

Per theory, of course.

That's short of a google times bigger, but since most people can't get the feel for even the size of the visible part, it's big enough to cause that empty feeling in the pit of the stomach of even the most confident teenager if he comprehends it.

I will agree with that. HA!

[oh8eleven]

I'm sorry but your responses and questions have taken on the quality of "Oh, yeah?" Most arguments for intelligent life and space exploration lead to one thing - a quest for money. Here's an example:

Are We Alone in the Universe?

"Alone, in all that space? Not likely. Just do the numbers: Several hundred billion stars in our galaxy, hundreds of billions of galaxies in the observable universe, and 150 planets spied already in the immediate neighborhood of the sun. That should make for plenty of warm, scummy little ponds where life could come together to begin billions of years of evolution toward technology-wielding creatures like ourselves. No, the really big question is when, if ever, we'll have the technological wherewithal to reach out and touch such intelligence. With a bit of luck, it could be in the next 25 years."

"The technology may well be available in coming decades, but SETI will also need money."

You can read the article to find out where to donate your hard earned money. LOL ...

[Black Tooth]

I'm sorry but your responses and questions have taken on the quality of "Oh, yeah?"

No, my questions to you have resulted in lack of responses.

The only thing that is clear here is that you haven't a clue if other life forms exist outside of Earth, nor does anyone else.

Oh and that cut and past thing you did was nice, but I've seen all the speculation and opinions before.

Bottom line, you don't know, and you are having a hard time admitting that.

[Pharmboy]

Everything you say is right, although at some point some of what you say is counterintuitive for intelligent life forms. Wouldn't they be inquisitive?

[Pharmboy]

Yes...your point is well-taken. Has any advanced civilization been able to make it past the WMD stage of development? It would explain why no one has shown up so far.

[RadioAstronomer]

money well spent?

Very much so.

[RadioAstronomer]

Pointless. They could beam back a picture of God struggling with the childproof cap on a bottle of Mylanta - still pointless. Our money would be better spent reinventing the wheel.

Sorry. Not following you here.

[RadioAstronomer]

This is what NASA is all about isn't it? They exist to find life outside the earth, right? That's why we spend the $ on this program... so this is good news, right?

Not just to find life. Also exploration and new understandings of this universe we live in. Indeed this is good news! :-)

[RadioAstronomer]

If life is out there, why haven't they contacted us yet?

The universe is a big place and, even at the speed of light, our little shouts have not gone very far.

[RadioAstronomer]

I believe we are alone.

Belief is the wrong word. We have one data point for life arising in this universe, us. So if life arose here, it could elsewhere. So I don't believe, I suspect given just how damn big this place really is.

[Pharmboy]

I chose the word carefully. I do not know we are alone, but based on what I know about intelligent life here, and the apparent incredible coincidences that brought humanity about, believe is what works for me. I certainly think that life has arisen elsewhere, but getting neurons together to produce culture, language and quadratic equations is quite another thing. I would be quite surprised if it happened more than once.

[Pharmboy]

Sheesh! I'm going to turn off my radio RIGHT NOW...(and that is a neat plot for a sci fi movie if it already has not been done).

[RadioAstronomer]

I certainly think that life has arisen elsewhere, but getting neurons together to produce culture, language and quadratic equations is quite another thing. I would be quite surprised if it happened more than once.

However, it did happen once so we have at least one data point. I do not believe nor disbelieve in ET. I suspect due to the sheer number of planetary systems out there, that we are not the only evolved species in this universe. That said, I also do not believe we are being visited. Those pesky equations from relativity seem to be getting in the way. :-)

[RadioAstronomer]

That said, I also do not believe we are being visited

And yes, that is a belief. However, there is physical data to back it up. :-)

[Pharmboy]

I do not think we disagree. Thanks for your comments.

[Pharmboy]

I do not think we disagree. Thanks for your comments.

[RadioAstronomer]

I am with ya 100% :-)

[Modernman]

Everything you say is right, although at some point some of what you say is counterintuitive for intelligent life forms. Wouldn't they be inquisitive?

A space-faring species might be inquisitive. However, I think it's also quite possible that their space-faring could only be for truly practical purposes- collection of resources and such. To such a species, a primitive, planet-bound race would hold no interest.

[Pharmboy]

...unless they wanted to find out about how they might have come about!

[Jaysun]

Sorry. Not following you here.

Think of all of the wonderful things that will come from such a discovery, such as............????