Is Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life Probable?

Consider the number of stars, and that a large percentage probably have planets.  The claim is the odds favor a well placed rocky planet that can support life exists.  But there is often a caution the life, if it exists, is probably microscopic.  So, why not be even more optimistic and claim there is probably complex life forms, possibly intelligent life forms?

The obvious requirements are temperatures in the range so liquid water can exist, a solid surface, and oxygen to breathe.  A planet close to a star has a better chance of being rocky, and temperature depends on the energy output of the star and the distance away from the star the planet orbits.

Earth is on an elliptical orbit, but it is close to circular.  An elongated orbit can bring about temperature extremes not conducive to higher life forms.  Yes, life can adapt to environmental change, but within limits, and annual swings are not easily adapted to.   

Years ago a star much larger than our sun exploded in a supernova.  Our sun builds elements into more complex elements through fission, but any element heavier than iron requires an addition of enormous amounts of energy to be made by the fission process.  This is possible in a supernova, not a smaller star such as the sun.  So, we came from another star which exploded.  Our sun has about eleven billion years in its life cycle, but large stars can go through their fuel and explode in as little as ten thousand years.  This comes from and is well discussed in The Universe series first year in a segment on the Sun.

The abundance of carbon and oxygen indicate an origin in a supernova, but there is no other way to get the heavy, radioactive elements like uranium.   This is important because radioactivity adds internal heat to the Earth and keeps our core with a molten layer.  And the molten iron in the core helps generate a magnetic field, which deflects high energy particles from the sun. 

Our moon is theorized as having come from a collision with the Earth and another planet size object.  The Earth increased its iron, and hence its magnetic field, as a result of partially capturing the other planet.  What was not captured formed the moon.  Our moon is also necessary for life, since it stabilizes our axis and gives repeated seasons, a condition helpful for plant life.  And the collision is probably the cause of our twenty-four hour day.  This comes from the segment of the video of the first season of The Universe series titled Moon with details William Hartman’s work.

The first thing we need is a star that is orbited by a rocky planet at just the right distance to have a year of reasonable length.  The planet needs a near circular orbit.  There must not be too much activity on the star or the magnetic field will be inadequate to stop high energy particles.  Stopping high energy particles requires heavy elements from a supernova to keep the core molten and generate a magnetic field.  There must be enough radioactive material to keep a molten layer of iron which must be in abundance.  Water must also be in abundance.  Oxygen, including oxygen for ozone to stop ultraviolet rays, is also needed.  So, the Goldilocks Zone is a mere beginning.  There is so much more that must be present.

So, the planet would be best if orbiting a star about the size of the sun at the distance the Earth orbits the sun, and have had its origin in a much larger star that went supernova. 

There are many stars, but the odds of finding intelligent life depends on so much more.

Could God create two or more intelligent life forms?  Well, if you believe in angels you realize that He has.  That is the simple answer.  But, it should suffice.

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The introduction image, and the image used on the Zazzle products, is from NASA and is in public domain.