←back to thread

Astronomers Detect a Possible Signature of Life on a Distant Planet

(www.nytimes.com)
168 points julienchastang | 2 comments | 16 Apr 25 23:20 UTC | HN request time: 0.536s | source
Show context
belinder ◴[17 Apr 25 00:04 UTC] No.43711682[source]▶
If life evolves on a planet with only oceans, no surface, imagine how much longer it would take to discover rockets that can leave the planet.

Like if there was no surface on earth, and only fish, there must be some very significant reason for advanced fish to even want to leave the water, let alone the atmosphere

replies(9): >>43711724 #>>43711768 #>>43712007 #>>43712681 #>>43712716 #>>43712739 #>>43712879 #>>43712916 #>>43719038 #
1. ivanjermakov ◴[17 Apr 25 01:01 UTC] No.43712007[source]▶
Overcoming water->land barrier seems comparable to overcoming land->air and air->outer space in the context of rocket launches.
replies(1): >>43712206 #
2. evilduck ◴[17 Apr 25 01:33 UTC] No.43712206[source]▶
Taking it a step further, being an ocean dwelling creature could even be an advantage in space since they would more easily be shielded from radiation if they were enveloped in a large mass of water and g-forces might be easier on their bodies since they'd be less compressible.

But on the other hand: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fish-dont-do-so-we...