For a long time, there has been debate across the world regarding the existence of other life forms in other places outside the earth. From the time when human started to gain a deeper understanding of the universe, people continue to intuate that the outer space and other planets contains some form of civilization and other forms of life. This paper will explore this issue by synthesizing research and opinion regarding the existence of life in the outer space.
For many years, the belief that there was life in space was very common among many scientists. To try and prove this assertion, scientists have employed new technologies and also carried out research through hypothesizing. For example, in 2003, there was the mentioning of the amount of ice found on Mars during winter and also spring seasons. Additionally, scientists found out that the ratio of water-ice on Mars was more than 90% and therefore deducted that there could be existence of life on Mars (Rhawn & Chandra, 2011).
Another reason given for existence of life in the space is the numerous reports of extraterrestrial life. Tales of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO’s) and encounters of with alien species have been common news across the world. Scientists laid credence to this when there was claims by NASA scientists in 1996 that evidence of simple life forms in a meteorite that was found in the Antarctica (Bordelon, 2009). However, these findings have been questioned by other scientists who questioned whether what was found in the meteorite offered conclusive evidence as to the existence of life in space. More efforts to determine the presence of life in the space have involved carrying out mathematical calculations in an effort to prove or disapprove this case. A good example is the work of Frank Drake who was a radio astronomer and who came up with the Drake Equation in 1961(Pickover, 2000). Drake used the equation to try and estimate whether there is potential life forms in the space. Although the formulae generated a lot of controversy, it has remained on of the best approach of quantifying the number of extraterrestrials trying to communicate from the outer space.
More arguments supporting the existence of life in space is through the 1960’s launch of the spacecraft referred to as the mariner and was to provide evidence of life beyond the earth. Photographic evidence taken by the spacecraft showed that there was once abundance flow of water on the surface the planet Mars. They further showed of the existence of vast systems of river, plains that were flooded and ocean basins. It is also argued that there are a lot of similarities between Mars and the earth and thus the belief that Mars could be having life or once had life. Proponents point at the fact that the planet has water and this was proved by examining soil samples taken from the planet (Line, 2010). Furthermore, proponents try to explain the existence of other life in the space by citing the case of ancient structures like pyramids that can only have been built through modern technology and thus conclude that there must have some other life apart from humans that build them.
However, despite all the efforts to provide evidence of the existence of life in the space, there are others who have dismissed the evidence around and instead argued that there is no life in the outer space. Some of those who are in this line of thinking argue that there might exist life in the form of microbes and other similar forms but not complex forms like animals and plants. Then, there is the counter argument with regards to existence of water on Mars (Morrow, 1996). There has been traces of toxic soil found on Mars which cannot hold any living form. Though there has been proof of presence of water, it is not possible for nay vegetation to grow in the toxic soil. Besides, thousands of meteorites have been examined by many researchers in the last half a century and there has been no evidence to suggest that the fossils had life. Also, previous analysis carried out on the chemical composition of meteorites concluded that the meteorites came into existence at the beginning of the solar system. Nonetheless, that the meteorites were present since the start of time. Debris that were knocked into space as a result of cosmic impacts might have picked them, or alternatively, they could have originated from the earth as a result of a meteor blast that took place billions of years ago (Dick, 1999).
Conclusion
The debate on whether there is life in the outer space will always be there. There are both those who support the view of existence and those who oppose it. Even rigorous scientific experiments have not produced sufficient results to come up with conclusive evidence on the existence of other life. Thus, it is an area that continues to be a mystery to human beings and continues to stir interest from many quarters.
Bordelon, C (2009). Is there proof of other life in the universe and is our government attempting
cover up? Retrieved from
http://socyberty.com/paranormal/is-there-proof-of-other-life-in-the-universe-and-is-our-government-attempting-to-cover-it-up/4/
Dick. S. (1999). The Biological universe : The Twentieth Century Extraterrestrial Life Debate
and theLimits of Science. New York: Barnes & Noble
Line, M. (2010). Extraterrestrial origin of life and genetic gradualism: Journal of Cosmology,
5, 850-852.
Morrow, L. (1996). Is there life in outer space? Retrieved from
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984057,00.html
Pickover, C. (2000). Science of aliens. Chicago: McGraw Hill
Rhawn J and N. Chandra W (2011). Genetics Indicates Extraterrestrial Origins for Life:
The First Gene. Journal of Cosmology. 16:1-12
