In two earlier posts I mentioned how some alien races may communicate via light instead of by sound (Music and
Alien Technology - 1. Biology/Physiology - Part II). This may not be so far-fetched. On Earth there are creatures that are capable of communication via light.
From Light Bugs...
In the June 2009 issue of Scientific American is an interesting news article about the possible ability that some single-celled organisms communicate via electromagnetic radiation. Dr. Daniel Fels of the Swiss Tropical Institute in Basel ran a series of experiments involving paramecium. Paramecium populations will slow their growth rates when other near-by paramecium populations are detected. He found that when groups of paramecium were separated by glass that allowed UV to pass through, their growth rates slowed. But when groups of paramecium were separated by UV blocking glass, their growth rates increased.
...To Lightening Bugs...
Of course, the paramecium is not the only Earth creature to communicate via light. Lightening bugs, for instance, communicate through bioluminescence with the male lightening bug flashing its glowing pickup line as it flies around looking for a mate. While it is a big leap from simple organisms to higher level complex sentient beings, when searching for other sentient life, we need to look beyond our terrancentric views - not all intelligent lifeforms will be like humans.
... And Lightening Little Green Men?
Some in the SETI field feel that some alien civilizations may actually communicate by laser light rather than radio signals. For an alien race that communicates personally via light, it may be more natural for them to use light for space communication. Instead of a radio signal, our first contact from space may not be flashes of light.
References:
Choi, Charles Q. "Electromagnetic Chatter." News Scan. Scientific American. June 2009. 32.
"Optical SETI - OSETI." Life in the Universe. 8 August 2001. 13 January 2008. <http://www.lifeinuniverse.org/noflash/OpticalSETI-07-01-03.html>
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Parallel Universe - are some aliens ourselves?
What-what-what?!
Dr. Max Tegmark, Cosmologist from the University of Penn., discusses in his essay "Parallel Universes" the possibility of four levels of parallel universes. Levels 2 - 4 involve different universes, but a level 1 parallel universe exists within our own. As Kyle Broflovski's mom would say, "What-what-what!?!"
At first thought, Mrs. Broflovski's reaction would be warranted. But think a minute about the wacky nature of infinity. If our universe is infinite, and the laws of physics remain the same, then in an infinite universe there has to be other conditions that create other Earths - with another you living on it.
Level 1 Parallel Universes
Dr. Tegmark states that these parallel universes are regions that are beyond our cosmic horizon - that is, regions beyond the limit of our ability to see or detect (approximately 40 billion light years. We can see 14 billion light years away, but because of expansion, by the time the light reaches us, the object we see is now 40 billion light years away). This region of space is the Hubble volume or horizon volume. Since we cannot see beyond this volume, it can be considered a "universe." The other regions are other "universes," some being parallel to ours. All the regions are contained by one multiverse.
For Dr. Tegmark, these parallel universes will, at some point, diverge from ours. In many ways, this is similar to the quantum parallel universe (level 3 parallel universe) where different possibilities - story lines, if you will - exist. For him, then, there is still essentially a uniqueness to each level 1 parallel universe. But in a truly infinite universe, is that necessarily the case? Can there be Earths parallel to ours in every way? In an infinite universe, even an incredibly complex chain of random choices and events will be duplicated. And, in an infinite universe, the most incredible rarities can still happen an infinite number of times (infinity can be the ultimate head trip - or headache!).
Star Trek (TOS) episode "Miri."
© Paramount Pictures
As mentioned above, each "universe" is a Hubble volume. Conservatively, the nearest copy of our Earth is 10^(10^29) meters away. However, Dr. Tegmark admits that the nearest copy could be much closer (for the mathematics involved, see his section I of his essay). Infinity may predict that on very rare occasions similar (or even exact) Earths would be within contact range of each other.
Differences Between Level 1 and Level 3
One difference between level 1 and level 3 parallel universes is that when there is a possibility of an action or event happening in different ways, in the level 1 parallel universe the different results happen in different regions of the same multiverse, but in a level 3 parallel universe a brand new multiverse is created for each possible outcome. Another difference is that in the level 1 parallel universe, the different result does not have to happen at the same time. In some regions, there are Earths just like ours but millions of years older. In other regions, a solar system is just forming - one that will create another Earth.
Hello Me, This Is Me
Some aliens can be different copies or versions of us. Maybe one day we will receive a signal, and we will think it was our own somehow bounced back, but no, it will be from another Earth.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy" (Hamlet Act 1, scene 5, 166–167).
Reference:
Tegmark, Max. "Parallel Universes." Science and Ultimate Reality: Quantum Theory, Cosmology, and Complexity. J.D. Barrow, P.C.W. Davies, & C.L. Harper eds. Cambridge University Press, 2004. 459 - 491. Also posted at <http://www.wintersteel.com/files/ShanaArticles/multiverse.pdf>.
Dr. Max Tegmark, Cosmologist from the University of Penn., discusses in his essay "Parallel Universes" the possibility of four levels of parallel universes. Levels 2 - 4 involve different universes, but a level 1 parallel universe exists within our own. As Kyle Broflovski's mom would say, "What-what-what!?!"
At first thought, Mrs. Broflovski's reaction would be warranted. But think a minute about the wacky nature of infinity. If our universe is infinite, and the laws of physics remain the same, then in an infinite universe there has to be other conditions that create other Earths - with another you living on it.
Level 1 Parallel Universes
Dr. Tegmark states that these parallel universes are regions that are beyond our cosmic horizon - that is, regions beyond the limit of our ability to see or detect (approximately 40 billion light years. We can see 14 billion light years away, but because of expansion, by the time the light reaches us, the object we see is now 40 billion light years away). This region of space is the Hubble volume or horizon volume. Since we cannot see beyond this volume, it can be considered a "universe." The other regions are other "universes," some being parallel to ours. All the regions are contained by one multiverse.
For Dr. Tegmark, these parallel universes will, at some point, diverge from ours. In many ways, this is similar to the quantum parallel universe (level 3 parallel universe) where different possibilities - story lines, if you will - exist. For him, then, there is still essentially a uniqueness to each level 1 parallel universe. But in a truly infinite universe, is that necessarily the case? Can there be Earths parallel to ours in every way? In an infinite universe, even an incredibly complex chain of random choices and events will be duplicated. And, in an infinite universe, the most incredible rarities can still happen an infinite number of times (infinity can be the ultimate head trip - or headache!).
Star Trek (TOS) episode "Miri."
© Paramount Pictures
Differences Between Level 1 and Level 3
One difference between level 1 and level 3 parallel universes is that when there is a possibility of an action or event happening in different ways, in the level 1 parallel universe the different results happen in different regions of the same multiverse, but in a level 3 parallel universe a brand new multiverse is created for each possible outcome. Another difference is that in the level 1 parallel universe, the different result does not have to happen at the same time. In some regions, there are Earths just like ours but millions of years older. In other regions, a solar system is just forming - one that will create another Earth.
Hello Me, This Is Me
Some aliens can be different copies or versions of us. Maybe one day we will receive a signal, and we will think it was our own somehow bounced back, but no, it will be from another Earth.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy" (Hamlet Act 1, scene 5, 166–167).
Reference:
Tegmark, Max. "Parallel Universes." Science and Ultimate Reality: Quantum Theory, Cosmology, and Complexity. J.D. Barrow, P.C.W. Davies, & C.L. Harper eds. Cambridge University Press, 2004. 459 - 491. Also posted at <http://www.wintersteel.com/files/ShanaArticles/multiverse.pdf>.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
STS-125 Launch Webcast - 11 May 2009
The Coalition for Space Exploration invites you to participate in a live six-hour video Web cast of the STS-125 launch, the final shuttle mission to the Hubble Telescope, this Monday, May 11, from Spaceflight Now's Mission Status Center at the Kennedy Space Center. The Web cast will begin at 8:30 a.m. and liftoff is scheduled for 2:01 p.m. EDT.
During this last Hubble mission, the seven astronauts will renew, revive and restore the Hubble telescope. They will conduct five spacewalks to install and repair instruments and perform component replacements - all designed to keep this high-performance telescope functioning through 2014. Click here to view NASA's video on how they will accomplish this technical feat.
The live Web cast brings up-to-the-minute coverage to your computer or hand-held device, featuring veteran space broadcasters Miles O'Brien and David Waters. Special guest appearances include:
- Robert "Bob" Crippen, Coalition board member and former astronaut who served as pilot of first space shuttle mission and commanded three other flights
- Dean Acosta, 2009 Chairman, Coalition for Space Exploration
Tune in at www.spaceflightnow.org between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Follow the broadcasters and ask questions live via Twitter during the Web cast!
Reference:
"STS 125 Launch Webcast." Nasa News. Coalition for Space Exploration. 8 May 2009. Web. 10 May 2009. <http://www.spacecoalition.com/sts125_mail.cfm>
"STS 125 Launch Webcast." Nasa News. Coalition for Space Exploration. 8 May 2009. Web. 10 May 2009. <http://www.spacecoalition.com/sts125_mail.cfm>
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Trace Space Back to You
NASA has a nice site where you can find the answer to the question "have you ever wondered how space exploration impacts your daily life?" Visit <http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/nasacity/landing.htm> to find the answers.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Google Earth and Exoplanets
Google Earth has a most excellent plug-in for exoplanet fans - a plugin for the sky view that displays the over 200 explanets discovered so far:
<http://services.google.com/earth/kmz/exo_planets_n.kmz>
You'll need to first download Google Earth to use it (version 5.0 at the time of writing this post). If you do not already have Google Earth, you can download it at:
<http://earth.google.com/>
Enjoy!
<http://services.google.com/earth/kmz/exo_planets_n.kmz>
You'll need to first download Google Earth to use it (version 5.0 at the time of writing this post). If you do not already have Google Earth, you can download it at:
<http://earth.google.com/>
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Alien solstice
In a Christmas post last year (Christmas on Omicron Persei 8), I wondered about how aliens would celebrate a solstice on their planet.
Another question is if there is one God, surely He would be interested in all of His spiritual children ("other children have I"....?), and if so, would He then visit other planets? How would He visit them? Would we recognize that He did in their religious texts and stories?
I leave you to ponder such questions during this holiday season - though for us, what is important is our own here and now: have a happy and safe holiday season.
For life on other planets, I wonder how they would treat a solstice on their planet? To be high level sentient does one have to be a pattern seeker, to look for the meaning and/or reasons for the patterns? If so, then such sentient beings would see the pattern of solstice and equinox as even our distant ancestors did (from even before Stonehenge) and work to apply a meaning or reason to the pattern (for to find meaning or reason is to find purpose and to be able to make predictions, and maybe even gain some control over - or at least the illusion/delusion of some control).However, I am making an assumption - that while for humans have shown a great interest in marking solstices and equinoxes from prehistoric times, an alien mind, on the other-hand, may not place any special or theological meaning to such cyclical patterns as a solstice or an equinox. Solstice may not mean squat to them, and they would be confused by our making such a big deal out of it. For them, if they have religion, their religious mind set may have them find other patterns to be special and worthy of note. Maybe they place the birth of their god in the middle of Spring, between a solstice or an equinox. Maybe their sun isn't important to them (a blind species, or a species that lives under the ice - getting their energy from thermal vents and not the sun, or a subterranean species...). Maybe they have two or three suns and the special days are more complicated and arrive less often.
This, of course, depends on many factors which would affect the severity, or the placidity, of annual weather patterns. Is the planet in a very circular orbit, or a somewhat elliptical one? Is the planet close to its star, and thus with a very short year? Is the planet actually a large habitable moon circling a gas giant? Is there a virtually non-existent tilt to its axis or it is a large tilt? And what of these combined?
Another question is if there is one God, surely He would be interested in all of His spiritual children ("other children have I"....?), and if so, would He then visit other planets? How would He visit them? Would we recognize that He did in their religious texts and stories?
I leave you to ponder such questions during this holiday season - though for us, what is important is our own here and now: have a happy and safe holiday season.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Updates polls, links
Finally back from my vacation and ready to jump back into this blog. I've updated the exoplanet links and replaced the old poll with a new one. You can go to Polls to see the archived results of past polls.
The results of the last poll was interesting - at least to me. As much as I am deeply interested in the search for exoplanets and the discovery of alien life, I am conservative when it comes to the matter of contacting any alien civilization. Should we purposefully beam messages to the stars? For me there is a hesitation as there are possible risks involved that need to be kept in mind. But 85% of those responding to the poll said they thought we should purposefully beam messages to the stars. I would love to hear why you all believe we should.
The results of the last poll was interesting - at least to me. As much as I am deeply interested in the search for exoplanets and the discovery of alien life, I am conservative when it comes to the matter of contacting any alien civilization. Should we purposefully beam messages to the stars? For me there is a hesitation as there are possible risks involved that need to be kept in mind. But 85% of those responding to the poll said they thought we should purposefully beam messages to the stars. I would love to hear why you all believe we should.
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