Odds of Alien Life 'Very High,' House Panel Hears

Breitbart News ^ | 12/05/2013 | Breitbart News

[Carbonsteel]

The likelihood of life on other planets is "very high," a planetary scientist told a House committee in a hearing some Democrats chided as evading U.S. issues.

"The chance that there's a planet like Earth out there with life on it is very high," Massachusetts Institute of Technology planetary science and physics Professor Sara Seager told the House Science Committee.

"The question is: Is there life near here, in our neighborhood of stars? We think the chances are good," she said, answering a question from Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas, who asked: "Do you think there's life out there, and are they studying us? And what do they think about New York City?"

[jocon307]

Please congress, try and get a handle on what’s happening here on earth first! Not even earth, just the US.

[dfwgator]

It’s a great big universe
And we’re all really puny

We’re just tiny little specks
About the size of Mickey Rooney

[null and void]

I didn't see any proof that there were inhabitants of the western hemisphere, or for that matter that there even is a western hemisphere.

You of course would simply REFUSE to see any proof of life elsewhere, even if that means ignoring the Biblical fact that living beings came here from elsewhere, found the daughters of men attractive and sired children with them.

[Kip Russell]

Any astronomy expert, correct me if I'm wrong, but the nearest star group is Alpha Centauri, about 4.24 light years away. A light year represents about 5.87 trillion miles, so - apart from our own sun - our nearest star "neighbors" are at least 23 trillion miles away.

Quite so. Most people who think we're being visited by aliens either don't understand the distances involved or, if they do, simply handwave away speed of light problem. "They must have invented warp drive".

Suuuuuure they have.

[tumblindice]

“And what do they think about New York City?”
They probably think there’s no life on Earth.

[null and void]

Excellent!

[lee martell]

For M.I.T. to even lift the lid of possibility this much probably means they already know something far more profound about the existance of life as we know it elsewhere in our solar system. For now, the truth has to be spoonfed to most the public.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Quite so. Most people who think we're being visited by aliens either don't understand the distances involved or, if they do, simply handwave away speed of light problem."

That is why UFO expert Jacques Vallee, who believed that there is persuasive evidence of "alien" encounters, concluded that these are not from "spaceships" from other planets, but from some kind of interdimensional or occult phenomena, perhaps what some would call "daemonic" entities.

[ifinnegan]

Why in the universe would there be a congressional committee hearing on this?

[UCANSEE2]

To assume there is more intelligent life out there sets a very low bar.

"We will see about that."

[Charles Henrickson]

Odds of Alien Life 'Very High' . . .

[FredZarguna]

The astronauts wouldn't get back to earth for a thousand light years.

A light year is ~9.5 x 10¹⁵ meters. It's a measure of distance, not time.

[stubernx98]

Right on. I am convinced that life will evolve on water based planets. We are lucky here being on a spiral Nebula away from much of the galaxy turmoil.

What about liquid methane, or ?

Life evolves eating other life, so what happened to the dinosaur predators? Not enough time?

[Windflier]

Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas

He's a little long in the tooth, but Ralph Hall is a solid conservative. He used to be my congressman.

[varmintman]

Seriously though, I really don't think we'll find evidence of alien life any time soon.

You are right. Also, the distances for visiting are too great.

Our first priority has to be dealing with remains of past civilization in our own system, we can worry about the stars later.

[Kip Russell]

That is why UFO expert Jacques Vallee, who believed that there is persuasive evidence of "alien" encounters, concluded that these are not from "spaceships" from other planets, but from some kind of interdimensional or occult phenomena, perhaps what some would call "daemonic" entities.

To quote Douglas Adams..."The prevailing view seemed to be that his opinion was not worth a pair of fetid dingo's kidneys".

[varmintman]

Neanderthals were likely to have been more physically capable than we are. Where are they now?

Modern humans (Cro Magnons) killed them all. This is what a Neanderthal actually looked like:

( www.themandus.org )

[xp38]

Oh yeah? Well Han Solo did the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs so there! :)

[eclecticEel]

Why in the universe would there be a congressional committee hearing on this?

$$

[Windflier]

Aliens...what a load of bunk.