Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site dartvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!dartvax!chuck From: chuck@dartvax.UUCP (Chuck Simmons) Newsgroups: net.bio,net.origins,net.philosophy,net.sci,net.sf-lovers Subject: Re: The missing step -- self-reproducing organisms Message-ID: <2565@dartvax.UUCP> Date: Wed, 14-Nov-84 03:30:47 EST Article-I.D.: dartvax.2565 Posted: Wed Nov 14 03:30:47 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 16-Nov-84 01:10:56 EST References: <241@hocsj.UUCP> <10770@gatech.UUCP> Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH Lines: 31 (-:) > > Indeed, it is an extremely complex thing. However, the probability of > complex living organisms evolving ( coming into existence ) is actually very > high, say 1, since it has occured, for whatever reason. > > Carter Bullard Perhaps, then, we should ask "what percentage of solar systems in the universe (galaxy/within 500 light years of our sun/etc) will develop 'complex living organisms' (whatever *they* are)?" Now and then I hear estimates from people like Carl Sagan and people who enjoy speculating about UFO's suggesting that the galaxy is teeming with intelligent life. I always wonder where these estimates come from. How do experts decide whether or not a star is capable of supporting life? (And not just life but 'interesting life'.) How close to the star does a planet have to be to support life? How far away? Do you need the planet? How likely is it that a planet is in this range? What sort of an atmosphere does the planet need? Is an oversize moon necessary? Unfortunately, I think we will only be able to guess at these answers until we meet our first alien civilization, and I don't see that happening in the forseeable future. By the by... I hear rumours that some secret government agency has actually found pieces of a wrecked spaceship and alien bodies and everything! I don't suppose any of you out there in netland work for this government agency and would like to spill some beans? (:-) dartvax!chuck