Aliens could be discovered in the next 20 years, say astronomers. - Polidicks

Looking at it from a scientific standpoint, think of the "Goldilocks" theory, right distance, right mass etc, now there are in theory over a billion or more stars in our galaxy, let alone the hundreds of other galaxy's that are younger and older then ours, that would have life thanks to the habitual zones in the systems of stars they have, some maybe may have the same template as humans, others would have early life forms etc. I find it mathematically impossible that life on our planet is the only one in the universe. But unfortunately when some people think aliens they think flying saucers and advanced tech etc. Maybe that's a possibility but apart from garbled reports of abductions, Roswell, Area 51 and UFOs etc it seems far fetched but one could hope there is a space faring race out there.

If you guys desperately want to find advanced civilizations out in space, look for galaxies that are further away from the proposed center of the universe or around the same distance as we are.

[QUOTE=pentium;44881262]What if we've discovered them but we're so self-centered we don't believe it?[/QUOTE] MAN LOOK AT THE BIBLE, DUDE, GUYS WITH WINGS SURROUNDED BY LIGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT SOUNDS LIKE? DRAGONS. DRAGONS ARE EVERYWHERE MAN, AND THEY PROJECT LIGHT, IN THE FORM OF FIRE, FROM THEIR HEADS, MAN. AND THEY'RE IN LIKE EVERY CULTURE. DRAGONS CREATED THE WORLD 4000 YEARS AGO MAN, IT'S THE TRUTH.

[QUOTE=Trogdon;44882138]I've always been curious about this, why would they have to be ahead of us technologically? Couldn't we technically be the most advanced species out there?[/QUOTE] Given the massive number of Earth-like planets in our galaxy alone (let alone the possibility of life evolving on a planet nothing like our own), the number of potential civilizations is huge. The chances of us being at the top or anywhere near the top is incredibly unlikely, especially because of how Sol is a relative babby compared to other parts of the galaxy.

[QUOTE=l337k1ll4;44882905]Given the massive number of Earth-like planets in our galaxy alone (let alone the possibility of life evolving on a planet nothing like our own), the number of potential civilizations is huge. The chances of us being at the top or anywhere near the top is incredibly unlikely, especially because of how Sol is a relative babby compared to other parts of the galaxy.[/QUOTE] It's not all too likely that there are many civilizations at a [I]given time[/I] though.

Europa is probably our most likely candidate for extraterrestrial, solar life that we are aware of at the moment. An oceanic biosphere dependent on hydrothermal vents would be plausible for the assumed conditions under it's surface.

[QUOTE=OvB;44881798]Guessing by the picture of Europa, the aliens they're talking about are microbes and optimistically, invertebrates.[/QUOTE] If we found microbial life in our own solar system then the odds of there being intelligent life somewhere in the Universe would be pretty great. That's what would excite me about the finding.

[QUOTE=Eyefunk;44881559]I wonder how religious figures would respond to intelligent life being found outside of earth.[/QUOTE] Deny existence. It's totally destroy their foundation

[QUOTE=false prophet;44882482]If you guys desperately want to find advanced civilizations out in space, look for galaxies that are further away from the proposed center of the universe or around the same distance as we are.[/QUOTE] Well, it's pretty much impossible for us to determine where the center of the universe is, given the way that it's expanding. By all probability it may not even have a center in the normal sense of the word. Even if we could find the center, the galaxies nearer to it wouldn't have any sort of significance over the rest in terms of ability to support life anyway. It's not like solar systems or some galaxy types where getting too close to the star/galactic center makes it too hot/radioactive for life to exist.

[QUOTE=JPsRcE;44882469]Looking at it from a scientific standpoint, think of the "Goldilocks" theory, right distance, right mass etc, now there are in theory over a billion or more stars in our galaxy, let alone the hundreds of other galaxy's that are younger and older then ours, that would have life thanks to the habitual zones in the systems of stars they have, some maybe may have the same template as humans, others would have early life forms etc. I find it mathematically impossible that life on our planet is the only one in the universe. But unfortunately when some people think aliens they think flying saucers and advanced tech etc. Maybe that's a possibility but apart from garbled reports of abductions, Roswell, Area 51 and UFOs etc it seems far fetched but one could hope there is a space faring race out there.[/QUOTE] I don't doubt for a second one [I]exists[/I]. It's the odds of them making contact with us specifically that seem astronomically long.

[QUOTE=pentium;44881262]What if we've discovered them but we're so self-centered we don't believe it? Edited: No, really. How many times have we written off planets as being places to support life because they couldn't support humans? That's so fucking narrow-minded.[/QUOTE] It's not so much that they need to be able to support humans; the planets need to be able to support the formation of RNA/DNA (or some analogue; however, as far as I'm aware, to date none is known), and certain conditions just won't allow that to happen (like extreme temperature, extreme acidity/alkalinity, etc).

I saw a UFO Sunday... Scariest shit I've ever seen...

[QUOTE=ZakkShock;44883527]Deny existence. It's totally destroy their foundation[/QUOTE] They wouldn't deny their existence. If religious leaders were to do anything close to that, it'd be claiming "the extraterrestrials were put there by Satan to shake our beliefs."

[QUOTE=ZenZill;44881482]If we do find conrete proof that alien life does ecist I don't think it would change things too much, kind of whole Earth from flat to round, the Church and proof-denying imbeciles will live on happily.[/QUOTE] Earth being flat is an idea held by such a minority in the first world we may as well say it's not a thing. The fucking bible knew it was round. [QUOTE=l337k1ll4;44882905]Given the massive number of Earth-like planets in our galaxy alone (let alone the possibility of life evolving on a planet nothing like our own), the number of potential civilizations is huge. The chances of us being at the top or anywhere near the top is incredibly unlikely, especially because of how Sol is a relative babby compared to other parts of the galaxy.[/QUOTE] The worst (or best) part is that if intelligent life is found, it will likely be so far away it won't matter, even if they knew we were here as well.

[QUOTE=OvB;44881798]Guessing by the picture of Europa, the aliens they're talking about are microbes and optimistically, invertebrates.[/QUOTE] Given that's the only alien species we'll ever meet in our lifetimes, It's kind of depressing that we're so alone.

I think it'd be more horrifying to find out that we're the only planet with life on it in the entire universe.

[QUOTE=Orkel;44881297]Started to ban for image macro Noticed you're a moderator :C[/QUOTE] So? Don't do the crime if you can't do the time :v:

[QUOTE=Mikemaximum;44884478]I think it'd be more horrifying to find out that we're the only planet with life on it in the entire universe.[/QUOTE] tbh, i would be more disappointed, than actually terrified, if we were the best the universe could come up with in terms of "intelligent species" as well as life. :v:

[QUOTE=Orkel;44881297]Started to ban for image macro Noticed you're a moderator :C[/QUOTE] What the fuck is this corrupt bullshit?

Eh, it'll be microbial life and the day after it'll be business as usual.

[QUOTE=megafat;44884930]What the fuck is this corrupt bullshit?[/QUOTE]the tyrannical russian type style

[QUOTE=pentium;44881262]What if we've discovered them but we're so self-centered we don't believe it?[/QUOTE] I for one welcome our new bacterial overlords.

[QUOTE=Dav0r;44881280][t]http://projectlibero.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/i-want-to-believe-poster.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] Reported by: Lijitsu for Spam (Ignore) :0 for Spam (Ignore) draugur for Spam (Ignore) Soda for Spam (Ignore)

Dav0r should ban himself for a day to set an example!

[QUOTE=Craptasket;44885448]Reported by: Lijitsu for Spam (Ignore) :0 for Spam (Ignore) draugur for Spam (Ignore) Soda for Spam (Ignore)[/QUOTE] Why isn't the Facepunch moderator bias being reported in the news. This is an injustice!

[QUOTE=megafat;44885499]Why isn't the Facepunch moderator bias being reported in the news. This is an injustice![/QUOTE] oh dear god not again

[QUOTE=Masterofstars;44885666]oh dear god not again[/QUOTE] Wait, do you think I'm being serious?

[QUOTE=Lijitsu;44881336]A lot of that isn't necessarily new information or ideas, but it is interesting we're looking into our own solar system again. I was under the impression we ruled out the other planets as not having advanced species. Fuck sake, I reported him and then saw he was a mod. Glad somebody else got caught up in it too, I don't feel quite as dumb.[/QUOTE] someone posted an image omg! i better report it right now this is so very offensive and people should not see this, christ!

Racist old farts will be all "These darn martians and stealing our jobs". At least the racism will actually be about race for once.

[QUOTE=lapsus_;44884981]Eh, it'll be microbial life and the day after it'll be business as usual.[/QUOTE] Unless it's the Andromeda Strain.