4 ms·

Astronomy papers like this are pure science fiction. It's fun to think about but this is pure extrapolation and does not follow any scientific method. The only

Astronomy papers like this are pure science fiction. It's fun to think about but this is pure extrapolation and does not follow any scientific method. The only way to scientifically prove these things in this paper is to get first-hand measurements, which are impossible with today's technology.

johngossman 3y ago
I understand what you’re saying, but the paper ends with a two-page section (4.4) on “Observational Prospects,” including possible biomarkers. It seems like if nothing else, the point is to not rule out such worlds in the search for extraterrestrial life (including intelligent life).
PaulHoule 3y ago
I'm not so sure about that. People understand the structures of stars very well, the same methods ought to work for planets, at least somewhat. Going there looks very hard but remote observations are rapidly improving.
wolverine876 3y ago
What is your point? Do you think others will be misled?
Brian_K_White 3y ago
It's not science fiction, it's the first step of science itself. You can't justify doing any kind of basic research without some sort of theory or question or simple academic interest. Even basic undirected research isn't utterly random. Someone has to have some sort of idea they want to investigate. "Is it possible that there might be other environments similar enough to our own that they might be inhabited, or habitable, by anything, not necessarily us nor excluding us?" is no more or less a basis for science than say documenting the funny structure of the powder/scales on butterfly wings, initially just because someone finds it interesting, but of course everything, including that, ends up being useful and valuable sooner or later. It IS fun to think about, but this is not a crime, or even merely silly or pointless, and wasn't at any time let alone "with todays technology".

johngossman 3y ago

I understand what you’re saying, but the paper ends with a two-page section (4.4) on “Observational Prospects,” including possible biomarkers. It seems like if nothing else, the point is to not rule out such worlds in the search for extraterrestrial life (including intelligent life).

PaulHoule 3y ago

I'm not so sure about that. People understand the structures of stars very well, the same methods ought to work for planets, at least somewhat. Going there looks very hard but remote observations are rapidly improving.

wolverine876 3y ago

What is your point? Do you think others will be misled?

Brian_K_White 3y ago

It's not science fiction, it's the first step of science itself. You can't justify doing any kind of basic research without some sort of theory or question or simple academic interest. Even basic undirected research isn't utterly random. Someone has to have some sort of idea they want to investigate. "Is it possible that there might be other environments similar enough to our own that they might be inhabited, or habitable, by anything, not necessarily us nor excluding us?" is no more or less a basis for science than say documenting the funny structure of the powder/scales on butterfly wings, initially just because someone finds it interesting, but of course everything, including that, ends up being useful and valuable sooner or later. It IS fun to think about, but this is not a crime, or even merely silly or pointless, and wasn't at any time let alone "with todays technology".