The Mathematical Probability Of Life On Other Earth-Like Planets
Infinity was invented to account for the possibility that in a never-ending universe, anything can happen. Life on other Earth-like planets, for example, is possible in an infinite universe, but not probable, according to a scientist from the University of East Anglia.
The mathematical model produced by Prof Andrew Watson suggests that the odds of finding new life on other Earth-like planets are low because of the time it has taken for beings such as humans to evolve and the remaining life span of the Earth. Structurally complex and intelligent life evolved late on Earth and this process might be governed by a small number of very difficult evolutionary steps.
The Mathematical Probability Of Life On Other Earth-Like Planets
Rare Earth's requirements for complex lifeEdit
The Rare Earth hypothesis argues that the emergence of complex life requires a host of fortuitous circumstances. A number of such circumstances are set out below under the following headings: a
galactic habitable zone, a central star and planetary system having the requisite character, the
circumstellar habitable zone, a right sized terrestrial planet, the advantage of a gas giant guardian and large satellite, conditions needed to ensure the planet has a
magnetosphere and
plate tectonics, the chemistry of the
lithosphere,
atmosphere, and oceans, the role of "evolutionary pumps" such as massive
glaciation and rare
bolide impacts, and whatever led to the still mysterious
Cambrian explosion of animal
phyla. The emergence of
intelligent lifemay have required yet other rare events.
In order for a small rocky planet to support complex life, Ward and Brownlee argue, the values of several variables must fall within narrow ranges. The
universe is so vast that it could contain many Earth-like planets. But if such planets exist, they are likely to be separated from each other by many thousands of
light years. Such distances may preclude communication among any intelligent species evolving on such planets, which would solve the
Fermi paradox: "If extraterrestrial aliens are common, why aren't they obvious?"
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Rare Earth hypothesis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia