Second, Alien Life Form May Exist on Earth, States Report in Astrobiology Journal.NEW ROCHELLE New Rochelle (rōshĕl`), city (1990 pop. 67,625), Westchester co., SE N.Y., on Long Island Sound; settled by Huguenots 1688, inc. as a village 1858, as a city 1899. , N.Y. -- If life readily emerged on Earth shortly after conditions became favorable, isn't it likely that other genesis events also occurred, creating additional "alien" life forms that co-exist with known life, asks a groundbreaking hypothesis paper in the April 2005 (Volume 5, Number 2) issue of Astrobiology astrobiology: see exobiology. , a peer-reviewed journal peer-reviewed journal Refereed journal Academia A professional journal that only publishes articles subjected to a rigorous peer validity review process. Cf Throwaway journal. published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com). The paper is available free online at www.liebertpub.com/ast. In "Finding a Second Sample of Life on Earth," authors P.C.W. Davies and Charles Lineweaver propose multiple scenarios for how a second genesis Second Genesis is a 1986 science fiction novel by Donald Moffitt. In the previous novel, The Genesis Quest, the alien Nar species discovered radio transmissions containing the genetic codes and cultural records of a species called Humanity, transmitted from a of life could have occurred. Given that existing life formed under early Earth-like conditions, then logically it would seem possible for alternative life to have formed on Earth in a similar manner and to have survived to the present day. How then to detect a "second sample," and is there evidence for "alien life" on Earth? Davies, from the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquarie University Location University publications and material indicate that its campus is located in the suburb of North Ryde, although the Geographical Names Board of NSW indicates it is located in the suburb of Macquarie Park. The University has its own postcode: 2109. (New South Wales New South Wales, state (1991 pop. 5,164,549), 309,443 sq mi (801,457 sq km), SE Australia. It is bounded on the E by the Pacific Ocean. Sydney is the capital. The other principal urban centers are Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Lismore, Wollongong, and Broken Hill. ), and Lineweaver, from the Planetary Science Institute at the Australian National University Australian National University, located in Canberra and state-sponsored, founded 1946 as Australia's only completely research-oriented university. Originally limited to graduate studies, it expanded in 1960, merging with Canberra University College (est. 1929). , conclude that life is likely to have emerged on Earth more than once and, although there are ways to obtain evidence of alien life, these microorganisms could exist on Earth today and remain undetected. "Davies and Lineweaver consider a way to cut the anthropic knot," says journal Hypothesis Papers editor, Norman H. Sleep, Ph.D., Professor in the Departments of Geophysics and Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University. "If the origin of life is easy, a second example of life may lurk beneath our noses. We have the technology to commence our search." Astrobiology is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly bi·month·ly adj. 1. Happening every two months. 2. Happening twice a month; semimonthly. adv. 1. Once every two months. 2. Twice a month; semimonthly. n. pl. in print and online. The Journal provides a forum for scientists seeking to advance our understanding of life's origins, evolution, distribution and destiny in the universe. A complete table of contents and a full sample issue may be viewed online at www.liebertpub.com/ast. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available at www.liebertpub.com. |
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