Questions regarding life in the universe, especially the possibility of life outside our planet, or the influence of astronomical forces on life on Earth.
Questions tagged [life]
118 questions
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4 answers
Why is liquid water considered a requirement for life?
I`ve heard about different extremofiles living on earth. Is water a requirement for life because we have not seen life survive on earth without it, is it a chemical reason which makes life without water seem impossible? Could life exist with water,…
bogen
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Evolution of Life
Since life evolved here on Earth does that mean that life had to have existed before or in the future elsewhere in the Universe or could it be a one time only freak accident ?
Peter U
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3
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Other than liquid water what factors could make way for life to be on Europa?
I know that Europa has liquid water, but I just don't know if there is anything else on it that could give way for life.
Daosof
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What would be the noticeable effects (if any) if the Earth's orbit entered a chaotic trajectory?
To set the stage, let's put some more specific assumptions:
I am specifically thinking of a binary-single type interaction where the Earth is the intruder on a binary system of two bodies of a similar mass to the Earth (see figure below)
I am not…
Justin T
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Is it possible to estimate the body-shape of intelligent life just by taking into account the physical conditions of a planet?
I wonder if one can estimate the body-shape of intelligent life (comparable to humans) living on land just by taking into account the physical conditions of the planet. With intelligent life (comparable to humans) I mean human like life whose…
Daniel
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Could some bacteria theoretically evolve to survive in space?
There is no edge to the atmosphere, and therefor I expect there would be a gradual reduction of concentrations of bacteria as we ascend into space. Logically anaerobic bacteria should be able to obtain its energy from the sun and nutrients from…
Matt Dee
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Life on other planets
If all living things like animals require oxygen to live, how can people think that there could be life on other planets such as mars for example ? Living things require oxygen and carbon dioxide, and these planets do not have plants and such to…
Dan Khan
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Ideal conditions for life
Is Earth the perfect place for life ? If it isn't then how could conditions be better here ? For example, the size of the Planet, our atmosphere, distanace from our Sun etc.
Peter U
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How early/late is the human race as intelligent life in the universe/milkyway?
In the history of the universe, there has been a time, where intelligent life had no chance to develop (e.g. in the early universe, when no habitable planets have formed) and there is a time today where we know, that at least one intelligent…
Peter Lehnhardt
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What are the odds of (Semi) Intelligent Life in the Milky Way?
I know that it can vary A LOT if you are using the Drake Equation but using realistic figures, how likely is it to discover a civilisation that is at least semi-intelligent (stone age - medieval era, comparing to human history).
Also I heard that…
HotSaucey
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