Thread: New Earth-Like Planet Discovered -- Habitable for human life?

Pandora is here, baby!

A planet with possibly all of the necessary components for human life has been discovered.

Story here: New Planet Discovered: Gliese 581g is a ‘Goldilocks’ Planet | The News of Today



Let's assume this planet is actually able to sustain human life. What do you think this means for humanity? How does this affect or change your opinion of the possibility of alien life? Does it change your belief in a higher power?

Discuss.

Indeed this is exciting, we always believed that there are earth like planets out there that might be suitable for human migration and finally, we got one. As what it means for humanity, i think:
Firstly, it would definitely motivate us even more on new engine technologies, 20 light years is not a distance that we can cover within our lifetime, perhaps, with our current understanding of travel, we may never reach there within a reasonable time (reasonable as compare with human life). Also, it would motivate us to investigate new means of travel, i.e.: 'wormholes', 'teleport' to name a few.
Secondly, it would be the legal issue. As soon as human step on it, people will start to 'claim' lands and resources. So, who actually owns it? Is it first come first serve or do we have to fight for it? Will we establish new countries or just expanding existing one?
For alien life, I always believed that they exist. Currently, we have been looking for earth like planet for alien lives, however, alien life could be "not carbon based", and we are currently only searching for places that suitable for carbon based life form.
Higher power? I think this can be interpreted differently, what do we mean by power? Yes, I believe there are life forms that are more intelligent than us, their understanding of galaxy and physics can be thousands of years ahead of us. But if we mean that life that controls us and guards us, or religious related, I don't think so.

I don't think that this will affect in any way humanity. 20 light years means that we won't probably be able to reach that planet for many years to come unless we develop a technology which allows spaceships to travel at the speed of light. Even if this happens, i don't know how humans will be able to survive in a spaceship for 20 years.

This discovery probably favors those who believe in the existence of life outside Earth. I do believe as well that there might be some sort of life outside our planet but we might never learn about it. After all, what we know only has to do with the observable universe. There might be life that we will never be able to observe.

As for the higher power, i never believed in it. The fact that i can't explain how the whole universe was created doesn't mean that i will have to create a God who will do it for me. The "if i can't explain it, god must have created it" logic is a logic used by the first humans on this earth when they could not understand what sun is or why it rains.

For as long as I can remember I have been quite fond of star gazing. SO much so that to this day I still set aside time for any celestial event that comes are way.

I personally have never believed in aliens although I find the theories and stories of such to be quite interesting to say the least. I don't however believe this discovery will amount to much in the lines of making a space ship that is capable of reaching the newly discovered planet.

I also don't believe that in our life time will we ever set foot on this planet. Deep down I would love to see something of this magnitude happen, however I believe it will not. The great thing in my opinion about this discovery is the fact that from now on we will hear more about it through the numerous studies and observations that I am sure will take place.

As far as this changing my beliefs in a Higher Power, no this has not and will not change my beliefs in God, if anything it strengthens them to be honest.

I'm looking forward to the next report we are given about this planet to be sure.

If the discovery and study were all true then this can solve the problem of greigor's topic about Overpopulation.

^^ What makes you think the discovery isn't true? It's been all over the news - I highly doubt it isn't true.

Well, nowadays it's really hard to believe every single news that is being reported. Decades ago they denied about discovery of aliens and now they are saying it might exist. Those responsible are playing with our minds.

--- 20 light years away is not that far, as the report clearly states... and even more, personally i think we have the technology necessary to travel that far away... hidden somewhere in some secret basement. I am not talking just about stuff like Area51, but i don't think people/ scientists stopped exploring new horizons. Certain discoveries are better left hidden/ secret for now... as one said, humanity is not ready to accept them.

--- as for the discovery of Gliese 581g, it could be a great advantage for humanity, but of course for future generations... as we all know, this planet is somewhere near it's final "days" ( even if that means decades, centuries )... By finding a new planet, future human generations can call "home", one day, is huge... i think it's safe to say we needed it... this could mark new beginnings...

Refused to disclose discoveries is because they have hidden agendas. It's just my opinion.