Evidence of Mivrobial life on Mars?

Question

Suppose we discover definitive evidence for microbial life on Mars or Europa.

Would the discovery alter anyones view of our place in the universe? If so, how?

What if we made contact with an intelligent species from another world? Do you think it is likely that either kind of life exists elsewhere in the universe? Do you think that either kind will be discovered in your lifetime?

Answer 1

Yes, yes it would. As of now we know of only one planet out of trillions that harbors life. If it were discovered that life developed on three worlds in one solar system our paradigm of the universe would shift. All Earth like planets and many not like Earth will be expected to have life. Life would be considered the norm in the universe, not an exception.

If we came into contact with INTELLIGENT life then that would really send our world for a loop. Religions would be the most interesting to watch react after such an encounter. Would they deny it to the bitter end, try to convert the alien species, or start a holy war?

Do I think life is likely to exist elsewhere? I do. Its a very big universe.

Do I think life in either form will be discovered in our lifetime? I don't know. I would say the only chance of that is Mars. Maybe Europa, but only if they go through with that submersible mission they dreamed up, and only if life is profoundly obvious... like alien fish or something. If life on Europa is only microbial I would think it would be the proverbial needle in a haystack.

Answer 2

There IS already proof of microbial life on Mars...They found meteorites with microbial fossils...I guess.....I just heard of it.....check it out:

www.resa.net/nasa/mars_life_gifossil.h...

gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/1...

www.azstarnet.com/clips/signs_of_life_...

Answer 3

I suspect that yes, "life" discovered somewhere other than Earth would almost have to alter our basic view of humanity's place in the universe.  We still hold the notion, promoted for centuries by a number of religions, that we're "it".  It puts human beings at the center of the philosophical universe.  I can imagine that it will be very disorienting for many when we finally bump up against solid evidence that we aren't "it".