Aliens, Are we alone in this Universe? Options

[vivekpm]

Aliens!!! This is the topic which intrigues me everytime I ponder upon it...

I used to run SETI sometime back hoping that I would some day help in making contacts with extra-terrestial creatures .

Would like to invite talks on this topic. One thing that I have always wondered is why have most, if not all, research on aliens concentrated in finding possible places in universe which can support life, that is, which has water in some form, sustainable temperatures etc...? Is it not possible that the definition of life can be different for aliens? I mean they may not require water at all. They may sustain only at 1000+ temperatures or at sub-zero temperatures. Why is this not possible? After all, the notion that to sustain life we need favourable conditions like presence of water etc., is concieved by us. For aliens, "favourable conditions" may be different.

Would request anyone who has done some reading on this to please throw more lights and possibly supply pointers to good research material...

Cheers,
Vivek...

PS: Thanks NimmiJi for this new forum...

[Mandrake]

Vivek, good point.

However, when earth-scientists scour the universe, they are looking for planets that have more or less identical conditions to planet earth as we know of it today. This is because they feel that identical conditions will hopefully produce identical life-forms, meaning, we might find an image of ourselves there.

The reason for the search of such life-forms is the hope that communications might be that much easier. Also, in case inter-planetary space travel permits physical travel to these planets, then the acclimatisation will not be an issue.

It is beyond doubt that such planets exist, as also planets with alternative life-forms.
It is only a matter of time before they are found.

Or they find us first.

[vivekpm]

Vivek, good point.

However, when earth-scientists scour the universe, they are looking for planets that have more or less identical conditions to planet earth as we know of it today. This is because they feel that identical conditions will hopefully produce identical life-forms, meaning, we might find an image of ourselves there.

The reason for the search of such life-forms is the hope that communications might be that much easier. Also, in case inter-planetary space travel permits physical travel to these planets, then the acclimatisation will not be an issue.

It is beyond doubt that such planets exist, as also planets with alternative life-forms.
It is only a matter of time before they are found.

Or they find us first.

Good explaination Mandrake...

One more point that I keep wondering is, say someday, we catch some kind of a signal from aliens, there is a probability that given the distance such signals could have been sent to us hundreds of years back... and what if due to some activity they are now extinct..

Cheers,