What if we find a new Earth?

In a decade or so, we may be able to detect Earth-like planets using
spacecraft currently being developed. We may even be able to detect evidence
for life on such planets (detection of methane through spectroscopy) and
even chlorophyll (?).

What could the discovery of such a planet lead to? An interstellar mission
using solar-sails? Plans for colonization? Focussing of SETI on such
star-systems?

"Ultimate Buu" wrote

In a decade or so, we may be able to detect Earth-like planets
using spacecraft currently being developed. We may even be able
to detect evidence for life on such planets (detection of methane
through spectroscopy) and even chlorophyll (?).


What could the discovery of such a planet lead to?

An interstellar mission using solar-sails?

Just maybe conceivably launching a fly-by nanoprobe along the lines of
Forward's "StarWisp". Interstellar solar sailing as such doesn't
get to very high speeds, and laser-pushed light sail schemes are
technically quite challenging.

http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/213.web....ightsails.html

Plans for colonization?

We don't have the technology to do that by a long shot, and the
prospects for getting it in the foreseeable future are dim at
best. Maybe in the unforeseeable future...

Focussing of SETI on such star-systems?

Yes. Once you detect an exoEarth, devoting resources to study it
in as much detail as possible (which subsumes SETI) would be
the obvious thing to do.

"Ultimate Buu" wrote in message .. .
What could the discovery of such a planet lead to?

Developed Majin Buu and send him there to destroy it?

An interstellar mission using solar-sails? Plans for colonization?
Focussing of SETI on such star-systems?

We probably won't be leaving the Solar System for a few hundred
centuries.

In the mean time, there's still plenty adventure to be head the realm
of the Earth's sphere. Earth is more dimensional than some would
think.

EAC wrote:

"Ultimate Buu" wrote in message .. .
What could the discovery of such a planet lead to?

Developed Majin Buu and send him there to destroy it?

An interstellar mission using solar-sails? Plans for colonization?
Focussing of SETI on such star-systems?

We probably won't be leaving the Solar System for a few hundred
centuries.

I would make that merely a 'few' centuries, and even that I consider
conservative.

But almost definitely not *this* century.

In the mean time, there's still plenty adventure to be head the realm
of the Earth's sphere. Earth is more dimensional than some would
think.

So? Humans don't research or explore in a linear manner. When
interstellar travel becomes possible and pratical, people will go. No
one is going to wait until every last square inch of this solar system
has been under a microscope. Besides, many of those staying behind, will
be content to continue to do this.

Trust me, when the first starship departs, someone will still be
doing some basic research on the physical nature of the Moon...

...or even Earth.

"Ultimate Buu" wrote in message .. .
In a decade or so, we may be able to detect Earth-like planets using
spacecraft currently being developed. We may even be able to detect evidence
for life on such planets (detection of methane through spectroscopy) and
even chlorophyll (?).

What could the discovery of such a planet lead to? An interstellar mission
using solar-sails? Plans for colonization? Focussing of SETI on such
star-systems?

Probably lots of plans.

"Ultimate Buu" wrote in message .. .
In a decade or so, we may be able to detect Earth-like planets using
spacecraft currently being developed. We may even be able to detect evidence
for life on such planets (detection of methane through spectroscopy) and
even chlorophyll (?).

What could the discovery of such a planet lead to? An interstellar mission
using solar-sails? Plans for colonization? Focussing of SETI on such
star-systems?

I think SETI would be interested, but I can't see that anything else
would change. Even if it was Alpha C., we'd still never get a probe
there in any reasonable amount of time.

If Mars or Venus were Earthlike, that would be different.

"John Ordover" wrote in message
m...
"Ultimate Buu" wrote in message
.. .
In a decade or so, we may be able to detect Earth-like planets using
spacecraft currently being developed. We may even be able to detect
evidence
for life on such planets (detection of methane through spectroscopy) and
even chlorophyll (?).

What could the discovery of such a planet lead to? An interstellar
mission
using solar-sails? Plans for colonization? Focussing of SETI on such
star-systems?

I think SETI would be interested, but I can't see that anything else
would change. Even if it was Alpha C., we'd still never get a probe
there in any reasonable amount of time.

Define reasonable.

If you wanted to put in the investment I don't see building a Daedalus style
device as an unreasonable timescale. About 50 years flight time as I
recall.

Ultimate Buu wrote:

In a decade or so, we may be able to detect Earth-like planets using
spacecraft currently being developed. We may even be able to detect evidence
for life on such planets (detection of methane through spectroscopy) and
even chlorophyll (?).

What could the discovery of such a planet lead to? An interstellar mission
using solar-sails? Plans for colonization? Focussing of SETI on such
star-systems?

And now, interestingly, the cover story of the current (August 2003)
issue of Discover magazine is on this very subject....