ASTR 101 Lecture Notes - Cray, Setl, Light Pollution

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy
• Course: ASTR 101
• Professor: Prof.

Document Summary

We search for lawki; life based from carbon, depends on water as a chemical solvent, a source of energy (a star) and a planet where conditions are suitable for metabolism. Too hot = water boils off and enzymes are denatured. Too cold = frozen ice unable to act as a solvent: we expect et life forms to have advanced evolutionary features such as binocular vision or fingers. Their sociology and morals are likely to differ (ex. religion?: search in areas with low mass stars with planets orbiting in the hospitable zone, a zone where temperatures facilitate flowing water and possible life. Life is fragile: even if ideal conditions are present it does not mean life will form nor does it guarantee catastrophic events did not wipe out life. How to make contact: active communicative contact: send out electromagnetic signals such as light.