"The idea of von Neumann machines and SRPs seems like a logical means for any ultra advanced species to search the cosmos for the raw materials needed to sustain the life such a civilization must be accustom to. Assuming one such race of beings…"
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Robert J. Mitchell replied to Alyssa Organ's discussion von Neumann Machines in the group SES 311:Essentials of AstrobiologyRobert J. Mitchell replied to Dan Ericson's discussion Alien Trash is Our Treasure in the group SES 311:Essentials of Astrobiology"Well written blog following an interesting topic. Looking for the remnants of extraterrestrial exploration, reconnaissance, or mining may be the safest and most economical way for us to search for intelligent life. Imagine what we could learn by…"
Robert J. Mitchell posted a blog postSearching for signs of extraterrestrial life
Lately, there has been more peer discussion about how we go about searching for life off planet earth. A few places within our solar system were identified as good targets to begin the search for life, among them: the Moon, Mars, Titan and Enceladus. We need to begin the search with patience. Our Moon is the closest celestial body to us. The LRO is currently taking pictures, but a new mission to establish an out post on the moon should begin. Why not get very good about getting to and from the…See More
Robert J. Mitchell posted a blog postLife as a Carnot Cycle (Blog 2)
For at least the last few meetings we have discussed the idea of LUCA. A name for the evidence that suggests that all life, bacterial, archaeal, and eucaryal, all formed from a common organism. Woese suggests that LUCA, or the root of the universal phylogenetic tree, could not have equivalent metabolically to "modern cells." In his paper, Woese seems to dismiss the idea of a metabolism-first world instead providing evidence for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in an RNA-first world. While without…See More
Robert J. Mitchell replied to Michael Oals's discussion Seeding life and taking the next step in the group SES 311:Essentials of Astrobiology"If we could cultivate other planets, should we? What about mine them? What will stop such activities once the economics of them are there. We spoke briefly in class about replicators. It was suggested that eventually, the conditions in the…"
Robert J. Mitchell replied to Andrei Barney's discussion FERMI in the group SES 311:Essentials of Astrobiology"Thank you for writing this. The name, Fermi, has been mentioned only a couple of times in class. Those couple of time were the only times I'd ever heard it. We are the only sample we know, so far, in the universe. As discussed in class, it was…"
Hunter Ramos replied to Robert J. Mitchell's discussion Is life that rare or are we just selfish in the group SES 311:Essentials of Astrobiology"I like the idea of expanding our idea of what life is. Since we only one sample size of what life is there are other possibilities to forms of life.
That being said connecting life to the first law of thermodynamics seems like bridging gap…"
Jordane Raub replied to Robert J. Mitchell's discussion Is life that rare or are we just selfish in the group SES 311:Essentials of Astrobiology"I like how you brought up pop culture. I think it helped your argument a lot and I also helped me to understand your point better. The concept of 100 percent access to brain power as being the next step in evolution, is something that I have never…"
Robert J. Mitchell added a discussion to the group SES 311:Essentials of Astrobiology
Is life that rare or are we just selfish
In discussing the definition of life, the conversation inevitably turns to the philosophical. A simple question, 'what is life' has taken the brightest minds of all time thousands of years to search for answers, which largely only lead to more questions. Science looks to define life largely to properly identify it as humankind searches the cosmos for another sample.In an article on NASA's website titled: Life's working definition: Does it Work, the space agency, as of 2003, defines life in the…See More
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Robert J. Mitchell's Blog
Searching for signs of extraterrestrial life
Posted on March 23, 2018 at 5:04pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Lately, there has been more peer discussion about how we go about searching for life off planet earth. A few places within our solar system were identified as good targets to begin the search for life, among them: the Moon, Mars, Titan and Enceladus. We need to begin the search with patience.
Our Moon is the closest celestial body to us. The LRO is currently taking pictures, but a new mission to establish an out post on the moon should begin. Why not get very good about getting to…
Continue Life as a Carnot Cycle (Blog 2)
Posted on February 5, 2018 at 1:44pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
For at least the last few meetings we have discussed the idea of LUCA. A name for the evidence that suggests that all life, bacterial, archaeal, and eucaryal, all formed from a common organism. Woese suggests that LUCA, or the root of the universal phylogenetic tree, could not have equivalent metabolically to "modern cells." In his paper, Woese seems to dismiss the idea of a metabolism-first world instead providing evidence for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in an RNA-first…
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