There is a longstanding debate between those who do not believe in extraterrestrial life, and those who believe that we are not alone out in the universe. Our movies and tv shows include references to alien life and humans making contact with these lifeforms, and our fixation with aliens has leeched its way into pop culture (remember the Area 51 raid?). Whether little green men exist beyond Earth or not is completely up for debate, but the question is, if these Martians exist- whose job is it to study them?
Astrobiology is defined by NASA as “the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe,” so before you ask yourself if this is a legitimate field of science or not, NASA says yes. Joshua Lederberg is considered to be the Leeuwenhoek of Astrobiology and is a former molecular biologist who pioneered this relatively new field back in the 1960’s, falling within the timeline of the ongoing Cold War. The Launch of Sputnik bolstered the start of the Space Race, which did not exclude Astrobiology. This field encompasses preexisting scientific disciplines, including but not limited to microbiology, organic chemistry, physics, and geology. Astrobiology is good in the sense that we can finally piece together the age-old question, “does life exist outside of Earth?”
Topics like these that are out of the ordinary and not the run-of-the-mill regular science that we are used to seem very appealing and like they may benefit us, but at times we have to remember “Frankenscience” and the outcome that that type of science has. Astrobiology, while it may lead us to discovering a new and habitable planet, may also lead us to new species and new diseases on that planet, potential space pollution from abandoned rockets and spacecrafts, and unavoidable accidents. Who’s to say that furthering the study of astrobiology won’t open up another Space Race can of worms? So just because we can, does that mean we should go on with funding Astrobiology?
One could also argue that with the way things are going on Earth right now, with climate change and new, harsher diseases, maybe it is best that we start fresh if given the opportunity. On a new planet, we could start over and learn from our current climate mistakes from the past; Perhaps this new Earth 2.0 could be our potential Planet B.
https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/about/
Hannah Krzyszton (2)
I really enjoyed your post, I defintley think there has to be life outside of earth, because there is no way that earth is the only planet full of life in this gigantic world. However, I do think that there are a lot of things we can fix on earth, we do not have to be so dooms day about climate change just yet. Instead of finding a new planet, let's fix the one we have now.
ReplyDeleteHey Jess!
DeleteI agree with your stance on working on our planet currently. I feel as though it's important to address our faults right now and try and improve before we jump to another planet out of panic.
-Hannah
I never knew that there was an astrobiology field but have always wondered about the exact science and biology that goes on in other planets. Like the last comment I believe that there is life outside of Earth, and that there is so much we don't know yet. However expecting to find another planet that will fit our needs perfectly is not something we should expect.
ReplyDeleteJackelyn Raymundo Santizo
Hey Jacky!
DeleteI agree that there has to be life out there somewhere, even if it's just tiny microbes and not full-on humans. The conditions we find may not be accommodating to all, but life is life nonetheless.
-Hannah