2013; life is a cosmic phenomenon: the search for water evolves into the search for life

William E. Smith

doi:10.1117/12.2046862

26 September 2013 2013; life is a cosmic phenomenon: the search for water evolves into the search for life

William E. Smith

Proceedings Volume 8865, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XVI; 88650Q (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2046862
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The 2013 data from the Kepler Mission gives a current estimate of the number of Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of sun-like stars in the Milky Way Galaxy, as 144 billion. We propose that this estimate has caused a consciousness change in human belief in the probability of life off Earth. This seems to have affected NASA’s public statements which are now leaning to the more visionary mission goal of the “Search for Life” rather than the 1975-2012 focus of the “Search for Water”. We propose that the first confirmed Earth-like planet, expected to be announced later this year, be called “BORUCKI” in honour of the visionary USA scientist Bill Borucki, the father of the Kepler Mission. We explore the 2013 status of the Hoyle-Wickramasinghe Model of Panspermia, its hypothesis, propositions, experiments and evidence. We use the Karl Popper model for scientific hypotheses (1). Finally we explore Sir Fred Hoyle’s vision of a planetary microbe defense system we call the Hoyle Shield. We explore the subsystem components of the shield and assess some options for these components using break-though technologies already available.

Citation Download Citation

William E. Smith "2013; life is a cosmic phenomenon: the search for water evolves into the search for life", Proc. SPIE 8865, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XVI, 88650Q (26 September 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2046862

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