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What would happen if very simple life was found on the moon? I mean what effects would it have on society, would it be as significant if life was found say on m

What would happen if very simple life was found on the moon? I mean what effects would it have on society, would it be as significant if life was found say on mars? Would it put an end to the alien life debate or just fuel it further? I doubt have high hopes for there being life there, as obviously life needs more than just water but its fun to think about

jaxytee 13y ago
I have debates about evolution with my Christian friends (who believe in the creation story of Adam and Eve) often. Whenever I mention evidence of evolution documented by scientists, they always reference the Bible as evidence of the creation story. That then turns into a debate about the writing processes of peer reviewed scientific papers vs the method of those who wrote the bible. It usually ends with them stating the bible was written by god "himself", so it couldn't be wrong, and me realizing I cant change their minds. Needles to say, we live in a society where many base there beliefs on blind faith, and those who do are almost impossible to convince of something that goes against their faith. Even if simple life was found on the moon, they wouldn't believe it unless it was the kind of alien life from movies that invades earth with spaceships.
tzs 13y ago
I think a lot would depend on the origin of that life. Asteroid and comet impacts with Earth can eject life bearing material into space, and that material can reach the Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and beyond [1]. Some life forms seem likely to be able to survive that kind of ejection, and a long trip through space, and re-entry in a planetary atmosphere [2]. If we find life on the Moon, or Mars, or Europa, it could turn out to be that it originated on Earth. It would still be an amazing and extremely interesting discovery, but not the momentous discovery that finding true alien life would be. When considering the possibility that Earth life has spread to other parts of the solar system, one should also consider the possibility that it went the other way. Just as ejected material from Earth can reach other planets, ejected material from other planets can reach Earth. Some believe that conditions on Mars once were more favorable for the origin of life than they were on Earth, so it is a possibility that life started there, and then spread to Earth. Around 0.2% of meteorites found on Earth are thought to have originated on Mars. [1] http://arxiv.org/abs/1108.3375 http://arxiv.org/abs/1108.3375 [2] http://www1.univap.br/~spilling/AB/Olsson-francis_cockel_2010_astrobiology_Exp.pdf http://www1.univap.br/~spilling/AB/Olsson-francis_cockel_201...

jaxytee 13y ago

I have debates about evolution with my Christian friends (who believe in the creation story of Adam and Eve) often. Whenever I mention evidence of evolution documented by scientists, they always reference the Bible as evidence of the creation story. That then turns into a debate about the writing processes of peer reviewed scientific papers vs the method of those who wrote the bible. It usually ends with them stating the bible was written by god "himself", so it couldn't be wrong, and me realizing I cant change their minds. Needles to say, we live in a society where many base there beliefs on blind faith, and those who do are almost impossible to convince of something that goes against their faith. Even if simple life was found on the moon, they wouldn't believe it unless it was the kind of alien life from movies that invades earth with spaceships.

tzs 13y ago

I think a lot would depend on the origin of that life. Asteroid and comet impacts with Earth can eject life bearing material into space, and that material can reach the Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and beyond [1]. Some life forms seem likely to be able to survive that kind of ejection, and a long trip through space, and re-entry in a planetary atmosphere [2]. If we find life on the Moon, or Mars, or Europa, it could turn out to be that it originated on Earth. It would still be an amazing and extremely interesting discovery, but not the momentous discovery that finding true alien life would be. When considering the possibility that Earth life has spread to other parts of the solar system, one should also consider the possibility that it went the other way. Just as ejected material from Earth can reach other planets, ejected material from other planets can reach Earth. Some believe that conditions on Mars once were more favorable for the origin of life than they were on Earth, so it is a possibility that life started there, and then spread to Earth. Around 0.2% of meteorites found on Earth are thought to have originated on Mars. [1] http://arxiv.org/abs/1108.3375 http://arxiv.org/abs/1108.3375 [2] http://www1.univap.br/~spilling/AB/Olsson-francis_cockel_2010_astrobiology_Exp.pdf http://www1.univap.br/~spilling/AB/Olsson-francis_cockel_201...