On Feb. 27, the scientific journal “Nature” published a paper describing seven Earth-sized terrestrial planets orbiting a dwarf star 40 light-years away. Of these planets, three are within the star’s habitable zone and could possibly have water. With the right atmospheres and greenhouse gases, these planets may mimic habitable conditions. Some scientists feel that this finding may be an indication of life on other planets. Do you believe that there is a possibility for humans to survive on other planets, and what are the implications of this discovery?

Michael Perlow ’18

With enough technology, humans could absolutely survive on the surface of Earth-like worlds. We may not be able to step outside without proper gear, though. As long as the gravity is not too high, and the atmosphere not too thick (like Venus), we could land and build colonies on the surface (or underground), and take off back into orbit. Of course, it may take a very long time to ever get there, being about 40 light years away. We should start with colonizing the Moon and Mars, but keep our eyes on those exoplanets for the distant future. Once you find a single example, you know something can exist. For Earth-like planets, the more we find, the more certain some may harbor life, and if we’re lucky, maybe even intelligent life! Within our lifetimes, I’m confident we’re on the precipice of answering the question “Are we alone?”
Michael Perlow ’18 is treasurer of the astronomy club and a researcher in the Roger Biophysics Lab.

Jeremy Koob ’17

Scientists agree that it was only a matter of time before finding an Earth-like exoplanet. This discovery is exciting because the string of planets resembles our solar system, and several planets discovered could contain liquid water (life isn’t so happy in gaseous water). The paper supports their conclusion with telescope observations determining planetary mass, density, temperature and orbit (among other astrophysical parameters). Unfortunately, further statistical and chemical improbabilities decrease the chance of extra-terrestrial biology. Yet we are terribly limited by our closeted vision of life as we know it on Earth: alien ‘life’ may be based on entirely different chemical and physical principles than Earth-life. Indeed, astrophysics is not the only science studying this issue: there are research groups at MIT and other universities exploring different chemical combinations for life. This research is critical, because while we look only for Earth-like biology, we might miss true alien life.

Jeremy Koob ’17 is a Chemistry Undergraduate Departmental Representative.

Maurice Windley ’19

In complete honesty, and from a scientific perspective, I do believe that there is a possibility for humans to survive on other planets. This perspective comes from the years of scientists using our planet as a model for prospective others. However, this also comes with saying that, in terraforming other planets, what then becomes of our own? With this prime question in mind, I believe this discovery holds a myriad of positive implications to a moderate extent because, on one hand, new habitable planets offer the possibility to learn more about our species and the solar system, while on the other hand, it beckons discussions of who will be able to travel. Additionally, as the habitable conditions are fundamentally different from ours on Earth, what adaptations will those who travel have to make? How will systems of government and order be present on other planets? With these questions, I personally believe that we should be solving the problems on Earth, first, before potentially impacting another planet in the same way.

Maurice Windley ’19 works in the Li Deng Organic Chemistry Lab. He is also a STEM Posse scholar.

Sarah Khimjee ’19

Should the conditions on the newly discovered planets allow for human life to exist comfortably, I think that there may be a possibility for humans to survive on said planets. The question isn’t simply about survival, however. We also need to take into consideration the time (and resources) it would take to get humans to said planets, and need to understand how (or even whether) it is possible to do so. Should the smallest possibility of all of the above working out become a reality, it would lead to us creating an entire civilization from scratch. As interesting as I think this could be, I believe it will take a lot more time and much more developed technology for science to be able to define (correctly) whether and how life could possibly exist outside the Earth!

Sarah Khimjee ’19 is a STEM Posse scholar.