[tricky_k_1972]

Yet another body in this Solar System with liquid water on it or in it.

Can anyone possibly argue with 4 possible bodies within our own Solar System that life exists nowhere but Earth and that in all the other Solar Systems throughout just one Galaxy that no other intelligence besides us exists in the Universe?

It has been proven time and again on our own planet that life can exist in the most inhospitable places imaginable.

[tricky_k_1972]

Space Ping! If you want on or off this list please Freepmail me. My Home Page

[z3n]

It has been proven time and again on our own planet that life can exist in the most inhospitable places imaginable.

This is true, once life has formed. However, the conditions for life to form are far far more specific.

[add925]

Astroflatulence?

[Deguello]

Looks like a hole in the Ozone layer...dang those SUV's.

[RightWhale]

Until we get our life-detectors out there and actually detect life, the arguments must continue. It is possible there is life on the moon, on Mars, and on Titan since our robots have landed and might have carried life on them in spite of efforts to make them as sterile as possible.

[Grut]

Can anyone possibly argue with 4 possible bodies within our own Solar System that life exists nowhere but Earth and that in all the other Solar Systems throughout just one Galaxy that no other intelligence besides us exists in the Universe?

The thing is, if life exists elsewhere then so should technology-using intelligences -- lots of technology-using intelligences. And we don't see 'em.

So that's a pretty good argument that Earth is unique. It wouldn't surprise me to be wrong on this, but the argument is there.

[wickedpinto]

I absolutely believe that there is life elsewhere in the universe, however, I don't believe that intelligent life could possibly develop based on these results without a number of variables that are consistent with our own planet, then again I'm arrogant :)

Having said that, I can't show you the math myself, but the intuition based on sheer numbers I think proves that we ain't so special, though special enough to keep looking for others like us.

Personally I'm a fan of the "why is there life on earth? Because of the moon" sort of argument, but it's bigger than that. That photo of Saturn's moon doesn't validate that life CAN exist on it any more than it confirms that any life on that moon must be very specialized, and hardy to survive on a planet/moon being torn apart by Saturn's gravity.

But ain't a scientist, I just love Asimov :)

[Question_Assumptions]

Can anyone possibly argue with 4 possible bodies within our own Solar System that life exists nowhere but Earth and that in all the other Solar Systems throughout just one Galaxy that no other intelligence besides us exists in the Universe?

Yes.

It has been proven time and again on our own planet that life can exist in the most inhospitable places imaginable.

The question is not whether life can live in an inhospitable place. The question is whether the more specialized conditions required for life to first form and prosper is present or not. And the conditions required for life to first form from inanimate matter is most certainly more specialized thant he conditions to which life, once formed, can adapt.

Just because humans can life in orbit around Earth does not mean that life could first evolve there. Just because bacteria can exist in Antarctic ice does not mean that life could first evolve there.

[billybudd]

Actually, the truth about Enceladus is much deeper.

[sit-rep]

No, and I would like to stick my neck out and state that I believe if our solar system has this life ability(earth included) the odds are against the idea of life does not exist elsewhere in our galaxy, and the millions of others. Additionally, if a question you could only answer yes or no to were posed, "Is there life like on Earth elsewhere in the universe?" the only logical answer would be yes. Why? because the probability rate is higher than a no....

Asbestos suit donned...

[dead]

One of Saturn's moons, Enceladus, shown in this recent image captured by the Cassini
spacecraft, is spraying icy particles into space from the area around its south pole,
a sure sign of geologic activity. Photo: Reuters

[Verginius Rufus]

186 kilometers does not equal 300 miles...maybe it was supposed to be 300 kilometers (186 miles).

[GeronL]

Well, we must remember that Europa is in a band of heavy radiation, so humans might never land there. We needed another good moon

[staytrue]

that no other intelligence besides us exists in the Universe?

I will argue that in our galaxy, we could very well be the only planet with a electro magnetic technology. Earth is about as perfect for life as a planet can be. Yet the dinosaurs had hundreds of millions of years to develope technology and failed. This says that understanding tech is not easy. Further dogs and chimps are both pretty smart in a lot of ways, but neither could pass 2nd grade math.