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The search for extraterrestrial life is a never-ending battle amongst scientists. It has long been speculated whether Mars is able to sustain life and if the planet actually already harbors life. Mars’ similarities to early Earth, the increase of methane gas in the atmosphere and the discovery of liquid water on the planet are a few of the arguments supporting extraterrestrial life on Mars. However, the planet’s hostile environment, such as the lack of a protective magnetic field and low atmospheric pressure, does not support life as we know it.

 

Based on what we know about the universe there should already be plenty of advanced civilizations traveling across entire galaxies, and yet we have no evidence of any extraterrestrial intelligent life in the universe. This is the fermi paradox named from Enrico Fermi who just could not believe that we were the only ones in the universe. The Drake equation, created by Frank Drake, consists of seven variables that according to Drake multiplied together can estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy sending signals that we can detect.

 

But there is also the possibility that every one of us is aliens. What if every one of us is actually from space? The panspermia theory is something that addresses this speculation. It says that life has come to earth via meteorites and asteroids. The theory in itself is old, dating back to 1865. To collect more evidence, some scientists or advocates of the panspermia theory have done experiments, such as testing out the resistance of bacteria within different parameters in space, the availability of certain compounds which are important for life, such as building up the RNA (phosphor, boron). It is a controversial topic which is not scientifically backed up, hence why many scientists do not accept this theory.

 

Although we are facing uncertainties today, who knows what the future will bring us about extraterrestrial life? Listen to these podcasts to know more!

 

/ Rebecka, Sabrina and Tharin