Languish.org

General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: jimmy olsen on July 11, 2016, 12:13:21 AM

Title: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: jimmy olsen on July 11, 2016, 12:13:21 AM
Sweet! :punk:

http://gizmodo.com/the-prospects-for-alien-life-on-titan-keep-getting-bett-1783222440

Quote
The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better

Maddie Stone
Wednesday 4:20pm
· Filed to: astrobiology

Saturn's moon Titan is a frigid hellscape by Earth standards, but it's also one of the most hopeful spots for discovering alien life in our solar system. A new scientific paper hints that conditions on Titan's surface might be favorable for the chemistry of life to emerge.

Titan is the only other world we know of whose surface is shaped by lakes, rivers, and rainfall. Except deep in Saturn's rings, it's not water that flows, but methane. Even so, Titan's remarkably Earth-like appearance has led astrobiologists to wonder whether some sort of cold-adapted, non water-based life form could emerge.

But before we can seriously talk about life on Titan, we need to take a step back and establish whether certain basic conditions exist. Even at temperatures of -290 degrees Fahrenheit (-179 degrees Celsius), there needs to be enough available energy for life's building blocks to form.

"In order for anything to happen on Titan, you need to be able to do chemistry at a low temperature," Cornell chemist Martin Rahm told Gizmodo. Rahm's latest research, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, identifies a mechanism by which energy from the faint sun might be absorbed through Titan's cloudy atmosphere.

One of the key molecules the Cassini and Huygens missions have identified in Titan's atmosphere is hydrogen cyanide (HCN), an important precursor to life on Earth. Prior studies indicated that on Titan's surface, HCN can react to form long chains, or polymers, called polyimine. Now, Rahm's models are showing that under Titan-like environmental conditions, polyimine is both flexible and good at absorbing sunlight.

"It turns out, different conformations of this material absorb different wavelengths of light, including wavelengths that are accessible on the surface of Titan," Rahm said. "This could provide energy."

Cornell astronomer and co-author Jonathan Lunine noted that nine years ago, a National Academies of Sciences report concluded, "If life is an intrinsic property of chemical reactivity, life should exist on Titan." The polyimine result, he added, is interesting enough "that it merits a search for such polymers on Titan's surface—which will have to be done in the exploration of Titan beyond Cassini."

In other words, it's time to go alien hunting on Titan.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 11, 2016, 12:25:20 AM
Timmy, you need to start a megathread in which you post stories that belong in megathreads you already started.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: jimmy olsen on July 11, 2016, 12:32:05 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 11, 2016, 12:25:20 AM
Timmy, you need to start a megathread in which you post stories that belong in megathreads you already started.

I don't think I have a megathread on Titan. :unsure:
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 06:51:31 AM
 :mellow:

Why would it be so exciting to find bacteria on Titan?  Is there anyone non-retarded out there who still thinks life could only possibly exist on Earth? :hmm:
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: mongers on July 11, 2016, 07:26:45 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 11, 2016, 12:25:20 AM
Timmy, you need to start a megathread in which you post stories that belong in megathreads you already started.

I know I started one for all of the news stories that Tim missed, but it got lost in the deluge of Timmay threads.  :(
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: garbon on July 11, 2016, 07:27:41 AM
Quote from: mongers on July 11, 2016, 07:26:45 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 11, 2016, 12:25:20 AM
Timmy, you need to start a megathread in which you post stories that belong in megathreads you already started.

I know I started one for all of the news stories that Tim missed, but it got lost in the deluge of Timmay threads.  :(

Well you've been pretty good as of late at starting a slew of your own nonsensical threads. :P
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Valmy on July 11, 2016, 08:45:35 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 06:51:31 AM
:mellow:

Why would it be so exciting to find bacteria on Titan?  Is there anyone non-retarded out there who still thinks life could only possibly exist on Earth? :hmm:

Raz? We had a discussion about extra-terrestrial bacteria at some point.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Tamas on July 11, 2016, 08:52:18 AM
I really hope they don't fine any signs of life in our solar system. We need to prospect and industrialise it ASAP, and it won't happen if there is a risk of stepping on some obscure Mars bacteria
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Ed Anger on July 11, 2016, 08:54:45 AM
Tamas awaits the discovery of sentient beets.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: The Brain on July 11, 2016, 09:16:00 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 06:51:31 AM
:mellow:

Why would it be so exciting to find bacteria on Titan?  Is there anyone non-retarded out there who still thinks life could only possibly exist on Earth? :hmm:

Proof is nice, and what Tampax said.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: fromtia on July 11, 2016, 11:07:33 AM
I'm only interested if it's the green lady that does it with Captain Kirk. Is it her?
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: lustindarkness on July 11, 2016, 11:26:58 AM
We can send Timmy to Titan. That way there would be life in Titan. Easy.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Razgovory on July 11, 2016, 11:48:47 AM
I fail to see why this is a good thing.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Valmy on July 11, 2016, 11:49:23 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on July 11, 2016, 11:48:47 AM
I fail to see why this is a good thing.

How is it a bad thing? I think it is just a thing.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on July 11, 2016, 11:55:13 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 06:51:31 AM
:mellow:

Why would it be so exciting to find bacteria on Titan?  Is there anyone non-retarded out there who still thinks life could only possibly exist on Earth? :hmm:

It would indicate that life was very common as otherwise it would be highly unlikely for a single planetary system to have developed life twice. Also, given that life is common, we would then wonder why we are so isolated, perhaps life is common but intelligent life rare, perhaps advanced civilisations are very transitory. Just a few crappy bacteria woyuld greatly extend our knowledge on this topic.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 12:25:32 PM
I dunno, I feel like if we found life on Titan (or any other body in the solar system than Earth) everyone would think it was neat for a few days, and would quickly move on.  Obviously the Timmys would jizz all over the place about it a bit longer, but don't most biologists (exobiologists?) already assume life is not unique to Earth?  So it would merely confirm what they have already anticipated.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Berkut on July 11, 2016, 12:26:24 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on July 11, 2016, 11:55:13 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 06:51:31 AM
:mellow:

Why would it be so exciting to find bacteria on Titan?  Is there anyone non-retarded out there who still thinks life could only possibly exist on Earth? :hmm:

It would indicate that life was very common as otherwise it would be highly unlikely for a single planetary system to have developed life twice. Also, given that life is common, we would then wonder why we are so isolated, perhaps life is common but intelligent life rare, perhaps advanced civilisations are very transitory. Just a few crappy bacteria woyuld greatly extend our knowledge on this topic.


Recent human history suggests to me that intelligence doesn't survive mass communication.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Valmy on July 11, 2016, 12:28:05 PM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 12:25:32 PM
I dunno, I feel like if we found life on Titan (or any other body in the solar system than Earth) everyone would think it was neat for a few days, and would quickly move on.

Yeah? Lots of really important and groundbreaking scientific discoveries receive this treatment. What difference does 'public excitement' make?
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 12:29:15 PM
With regard to intelligent life, I would assume any civilizations much more advanced than our own are machine-based only.  I always felt like The Borg was the most likely alien 'race' we'd encounter.  Them, or the little tiny dudes in Batteries Not Included.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 12:30:05 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 11, 2016, 12:28:05 PM
Yeah? Lots of really important and groundbreaking scientific discoveries receive this treatment. What difference does 'public excitement' make?
I dunno, not much I guess.  I'm just trying to say I don't think this would be the epoch-shifting event that I am guessing Tim thinks it would be.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Valmy on July 11, 2016, 12:32:42 PM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 12:30:05 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 11, 2016, 12:28:05 PM
Yeah? Lots of really important and groundbreaking scientific discoveries receive this treatment. What difference does 'public excitement' make?
I dunno, not much I guess.  I'm just trying to say I don't think this would be the epoch-shifting event that I am guessing Tim thinks it would be.

Oh no it wouldn't be. Just another data point in our exploration of space.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: fromtia on July 11, 2016, 01:36:13 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on July 11, 2016, 11:55:13 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 06:51:31 AM
:mellow:

Why would it be so exciting to find bacteria on Titan?  Is there anyone non-retarded out there who still thinks life could only possibly exist on Earth? :hmm:

It would indicate that life was very common as otherwise it would be highly unlikely for a single planetary system to have developed life twice. Also, given that life is common, we would then wonder why we are so isolated, perhaps life is common but intelligent life rare, perhaps advanced civilisations are very transitory. Just a few crappy bacteria woyuld greatly extend our knowledge on this topic.

Indeed. We might have to seriously think about Fermis paradox a bit more, as everything we previously thought about the incidence of life in the universe would be proven wrong.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: fromtia on July 11, 2016, 01:39:10 PM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 12:29:15 PM
With regard to intelligent life, I would assume any civilizations much more advanced than our own are machine-based only.  I always felt like The Borg was the most likely alien 'race' we'd encounter.  Them, or the little tiny dudes in Batteries Not Included.

I agree, I think the likelihood is contact with a machine intelligence, or even something drone like. It may very well be profoundly hostile, so we should probably just go quiet over here in a corner until we know whats going on. Greg Bear and Alistair Reynolds both wrote great books on the subject.

Hopefully it will be the Borg, because they were fucking crap and easily defeated.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: The Brain on July 11, 2016, 01:46:14 PM
Borg = Germans?
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: fromtia on July 11, 2016, 02:14:48 PM
Quote from: The Brain on July 11, 2016, 01:46:14 PM
Borg = Germans?

Not as good at fighting.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on July 11, 2016, 03:35:08 PM
Or tennis.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: derspiess on July 11, 2016, 03:41:31 PM
I vote we send Tim there to investigate personally. 
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: dps on July 11, 2016, 03:47:55 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on July 11, 2016, 11:48:47 AM
I fail to see why this is a good thing.

'Cause if we send Timmay there he won't be here.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Razgovory on July 11, 2016, 06:23:11 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 11, 2016, 11:49:23 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on July 11, 2016, 11:48:47 AM
I fail to see why this is a good thing.

How is it a bad thing? I think it is just a thing.

Great filter.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Ed Anger on July 11, 2016, 06:27:32 PM
Quote from: derspiess on July 11, 2016, 03:41:31 PM
I vote we send Tim there to investigate personally.

Still too close. Send him to Wolf 359.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: jimmy olsen on July 11, 2016, 06:42:26 PM
Quote from: dps on July 11, 2016, 03:47:55 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on July 11, 2016, 11:48:47 AM
I fail to see why this is a good thing.

'Cause if we send Timmay there he won't be here.

As long as the ship uses some form of nuclear or advanced propulsion, I'm all for it.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Ed Anger on July 11, 2016, 06:48:46 PM
We'll make sure it explodes en route.
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: lustindarkness on July 11, 2016, 06:59:19 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on July 11, 2016, 11:26:58 AM
We can send Timmy to Titan. That way there would be life in Titan. Easy.

I had hoped someone would respond to my comment properly.As in "There would still be no intelligent life in Titan."
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Ed Anger on July 11, 2016, 07:03:38 PM
The signal from Titan would suck.

it is cold on Titan MEGATHREAD!
My particle accelerator is full of space eels!
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: jimmy olsen on July 11, 2016, 07:05:07 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 11, 2016, 07:03:38 PM
The signal from Titan would suck.

it is cold on Titan MEGATHREAD!
My particle accelerator is full of space eels!


It sounds so awesome! :weep:
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on July 11, 2016, 10:55:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 11, 2016, 06:48:46 PM
We'll make sure it explodes en route.

Just make sure to install the HAL-9000 as the onboard computer  :ph34r:
Title: Re: The Prospects for Alien Life on Titan Keep Getting Better
Post by: Josquius on July 12, 2016, 04:27:10 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 11, 2016, 12:29:15 PM
With regard to intelligent life, I would assume any civilizations much more advanced than our own are machine-based only.  I always felt like The Borg was the most likely alien 'race' we'd encounter.  Them, or the little tiny dudes in Batteries Not Included.

They haven't made contact as they are waiting for us to advance to a machine level?