In relatively modern science, there have been multiple discoveries of extrasolar planets which are also known as exoplanets. These specific planets are classified for orbiting a star outside our solar system, other than the Sun. In these findings, scientists claim to uncover the secrets within these uncharted areas to determine its compatibility to Earth conditions. Even within our own solar system, Mars has been a popular controversial topic of whether it would be able to sustain life. Even with doubts, many scientists still claim to believe life might’ve been supported on the planet a long time ago. Why are scientists so stubborn to cling to the possibility of discovering another Earth-like planet that can support life? In Lisa Messeri’s article “What’s So Special About Another Earth?” from the August 25, 2016 The New York Times, she incorporates astronomical diction as well as ethos proficiently throughout her article to examine why we’re so insistent on finding another Earth-like planet even when the odds aren’t in its favor.
From the start of her article, Messeri establishes a more scientific vocabulary which stays fluent throughout the rest of the article. With the use of words like “goldilocks” and “red dwarfs”, Messeri assumes her audience is well enough educated in astronomy to understand these terms to be able to bring up bigger questions and contemplate larger issues. Although Messeri’s article is meant to reach more knowledgeable readers, with the use of astronomical diction the way she incorporates it into her argument as well as inserting examples of history such as “ the 2009 launch of Kepler, a space telescope dedicated to finding exoplanets,” she unintentionally isolates some of her readers that aren’t aware of th...
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...lity but with more diversity in how to apply her ideas with different techniques and devices other than just strained with ethos, Messeri’s argument could have been more compelling.
In more theoretical situations such as Messeri’s argument on the persistence of exploration for another Earth, setting up a strong skeleton for the article with solid credibility is the first step on convincing the audience toward Messeri’s claims. With no solid solution to the posed argument, her incorporation of astronomically appropriate diction helps reinforce her expertise on the subject on hand and why we should listen to what is being said. Although not all components within the article were strong enough to support such such a controversial topic, Messeri was able to adequately get her perspective across with reason on why we, humans, search so intently on finding a sister planet.
This book is more than just a series of explanations of current astronomical theories and research tools, however. Dr. Tyson injects a great deal of historical perspective as well as his own personality and humor throughout the narrative, which is what really makes the difference between text that would otherwise be just informative and a book that is engaging and entertaining to read. For example, when discussing how astronomers use the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, he writes, "Superman, with his x-ray vision, has no special advantage over modern-day scientists
Finding life in our solar system could potentially answer the questions humanity has been asking for thousands of years. Sarah Seager, a professor at MIT, mentioned some of these thought provoking questions, “why are we here? Why does our universe exist? How did Earth form and evolve? How and why did life originate and populate our planet?” Answers to these questions could give humanity a deeper understanding of who we are and what our place in the universe is. Steven Dick believes that humanity has “… deep psychological yearnings for companionship, superior wisdom, or ‘an ineradicable desire to see the skies filled with life’.” Those opposed may argue that a biological universe will have little effect on humanity’s understanding of our place in the universe because a biological universe simply does not exist. One may argue that life is exceedingly complex and the odds of conditions being just right for the production and the sustainment of life are slim. Our civilization may have managed to beat the odds, but many its unlikely to for this to occur elsewhere in our solar system. The proof to back this argument is the N =1 equation. The only solid evidence we have proves that only one planet has beaten these insurmountable odds and produced life. While this argument makes logical sense, relying solely on evidence we have at the moment, takes our focus away from the
Why should scientists be impelled to work tirelessly to search the vast reaches of space? There’s one crucial answer that we all must come to terms on if we wish to ensure the continuation of the human legacy; Resources. Studies have shown that by 2030, inhabitants of our earth will need another two earths worth of resources to satisfy the constant needs of the 7 billion people around the world. Today we are using resources 44% faster than nature can regenerate. Many feel that our world is still rich with what resources we need, but this is only a contemporary statement. The reason for this is our constant dissipation of resources that are, and will always be diminishing. Humans have consistently looke...
The existence of life – Aliens, beyond our planet has been a controversial topic for several centuries, and is a debatable issue even today in the 21st century. What is our topic you may ask? Aliens, Do, Exist. According to theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking, it would be improbable for life not to exist somewhere other than Earth. This is a bold claim, but there is evidence to support this statement. The evidence we seek is in the many Alien occurrences we have experienced throughout human history.
Abstract: Scientists claim that other life forms do in fact exist based on probability. The conditions necessary for life are likely to be present on various other planets. Signs of possible life have been found in material from outer space. Much research has been dedicated to proving the existence of life on Mars. SETI is a program entirely dedicated to finding and establishing communication with extra terrestrials. If other life forms are found, communication with these beings will be a difficult task. Laws to protect humans from the dangers of extraterrestrial beings are already in effect. Although contact with alien beings has not yet been made, technology today may make it a reality in the near future.
Since the 18th century speculation of unearthly life has been brought up by many influential people. One of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, once stated "I believe that Man is not the most perfect Being but One; rather that as there are many degrees of Beings his Inferiors, so there are many degrees of Beings superior to him”. This quote justifies the fact that even the most prominent people believed in cosmic beings. Further in time, In July 1947, an unidentified flying object crash landed in a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. What military officials discovered was nothing more than the debris of a weather balloon that was being tested. However, people did not seem to fathom the truth and began to investigate what the military did not want the public to know. Bodies of unknown humanoid beings were seized by the military and taken into a secret base for further analysis. Various reasons as to why celestial beings could lurk the universe are being brought upon by today’s modern science committee possibly unlocking an insight onto future life. The first reason as to why extraterrestrial life could perhaps exist is that there is a vast amount of galaxies, stars, planets, and solar systems that humans have not yet discovered. To think that humans, the only civilization on planet earth, are the only living organisms in space would be quite absurd. Furthermore, a second reason as to why extraterrestrials could subsist is that life thrives in the most extreme conditions. This means that whether organisms are in the depths of the ocean, in the midst of the ozone layer, or in the scorching hot temperatures of volcanos; life always finds a way to adapt. However, some may argue that life could not possible coin...
...; quest for new frontiers continues today as earthlings burst terrestrial bonds and begin the endless voyage beyond planet and galaxy into the illimitable dark.
When considering this topic, one might ask themselves why explore space? We explore space to compare other planets with the earth and to study the sun, to explore the universe while finding if intelligent life exists, for satellites to improve communications, weather forecasting, navigation, resource monitoring, and “to create a focal point for a new intellectual renaissance” (Ruzic).
Human fascination with the stars is as ancient as Babylonians and has been suggested to be older than Stonehenge. From “be fruitful and multiply” to “live long and prosper,” the instinct to protect and propagate the species has manifested in religion, art, and the imaginations of countless individuals. As human understanding of space treks out of the fantastical and into the scientific, the realities of traveling through and living in space are becoming clearer. Exploring, investigating, and living in space pose an expansive series of problems. However, the solutions to the problems faced by mankind's desire to reach beyond the horizon, through the night sky, and into the stars are solutions that will help in all areas of life on Earth.
Everything changed on August 7, 1996, when NASA and President Clinton told the world that a very primitive life form had been found in a meteorite, from 1984. President Clinton had this to say about the matter: “This is a product of years of exploration and months of intensive study by the world’s most distinguished scientists. Like all discoveries, this one will and should continue to be reviewed, examined and scrutinized.'; After Clinton said this it was almost as if a scientific boom had occurred. NASA research teams of scientists at Johnson Space Center began to look for life as well. NASA began to send robots and Satellites to Mars. Unfortunately, they found nothing or lost contact with the robots or Satellites in the process. During the year of 1999 NASA sent up two rockets toward Mars and both were failures. Due to the failures, time has been given for scientists to blueprint a credible and step-by-step search for life on the Red Planet. Without the pressure to return Martian samples to Earth any time soon, new schemes for automated, on-the-spot detection of past or present Mars life can be flown.
Do aliens exist? For eons, mankind has pondered over this peculiar question and a revealing truth has yet to be answered. However, one thing is known for sure, the discovery of intelligent alien life outside of Earth would provide support to prove and/or disprove fundamental beliefs that have been held for centuries. In any case, the discovery would serve as a cornerstone for humanity to make the quantum leap in understanding the purpose of our existence. Based on numerous examples, it is impossible to deny the existence of extraterrestrial life outside of Earth. Reportings of sightings, ancient civilizations beliefs, and scientific proof from scientists and astronomers are all key factors that contribute to this statement.
Since the beginning of time, mankind has sought after learning about and exploring the universe. This yearning drove us to achieve such great things as the journey to the moon and the discovery of water on Mars. Nowadays, several people argue as to whether or not space exploration is worth the effort. I believe that it is humanity’s instinctual nature to pursue a better understanding of ourselves, and our universe. Further understanding of our universe will lead to the discovery of new technologies and ways to secure humanity’s survivability.
Some may think exploring outer space is simply a human’s curiosity. This is true but on the contrary, people explore to learn about things they may have never known and touch on the essence of the creation of the universe. Another reason for exploring this uncharted area is the technological advancements people have made and immense amount of innovation they have achieved in this field (Wood). Lastly, scientists study the other planets just in case one day humans need to relocate after overwhelming damage has been done to Earth. Suffice to say, it is a vital part of today’s day and age to research outer space (Rothery).
Sidney, Philip. "Astrophel and Stella." Online. Renascence Editions. U of Oregon P. 6 Apr. 1999. Available HTTP: darkwing.uoregon.edu.