The [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16515944 latest published research[/url indicates that [ievery star[/i in the galaxy hosts at least one planet. This leads to the stunning conclusion that there are likely to be, just in our Milky Way galaxy alone, 10 billion [iEarth-sized[/i planets.

The likely total number of galaxies in the universe is thought to be up to 500 billion.

If so, that means 5000 billion billion Earth-sized planets. Suddenly the suggestion that every single one of those hasn't nor ever had any life on it seems almost ludicrous. Five thousand billion billion Earth-sized planets and we are the only one with life forms? I don't think so.

Well said pity speed of light cannot be beaten.

Indeed. Whether or not we ever find or make contact with any other life form, it seems highly unlikely that there are no others.

Very quick

Does Ferry Fryston count as making contact with another life form, I go every week

There may be life in our own solar system of the microorganism variety. Moon's such as Eneceladus which orbits Saturn have the possibility of water hidden beneath the surface which could support life. Mars also has a lot of methane activity coming out of underground caverns which varies due to the seasons, this could be geological or biological. Titan also has a possibility of harbouring life which is based upon methane rather than water. Lifeforms have been found to exist on earth in conditions with almost no oxygen, thriving off methane.

So I would say the fact that in our Solar System there are so many places that have the possibility of harbouring life and the fact the we exist ourselves then there must be intelligent, evolved life out there somewhere. It's just a case of finding it.

The thing is though that so far we haven't found evidence for any other life form. Dead or alive. Whilst that remains the case, there is at least room for discussion. But when an indisputable alien life form is finally discovered, that will be a seismic event, as then we will have proof that life has 'happened' elsewhere, and twice within a cosmic blink of an eye would make it certain that life elsewhere is actually abundant.

Ah, but how many meet the Goldilocks criteria?

True, true. At the moment we're working with statistics and probability but if some kind of life form on another planet or moon it makes the evidence somewhat indisputable.

That life exists elsewhere in the universe is one of the few things I believe without having seen evidence. Even if life only gets started on one in a billion planets capable of supporting it, that's still a lot of life.

Reckon we'll all be extinct before technology is sufficiently advanced to make contact though. The best hope we have is of finding microbial life elsewhere in the solar system.

That being said, I have perfected time travel this evening, so who knows?

Due to rates of technological expansion, if it's possible to create the technology then we should see it easily within human lifetime. The only problem is can we develop it before we destroy the earth or find another planet to live on.

I'm becoming a bit worried about this seeming time dilation. But as they lost a whole day on 30th December, I think I need a Samoan to watch over me.

Rock God X has also told me that, as proof of his deityship (is that a word?) at precisley 7.12 pm, he will post the following mesage:

"That being said, I have perfected time travel this evening, so who knows?"

What just happened?

Yes we have. Ever heard of the [url=http://www.ufocasebook.com/ilkleymoor.htmlIlkley moor alien[/url?

I can dig deeper into the vaults of the internet if you want

There are others on other boards claiming the same gift too.

I think you'll find this man is the expert whan it comes to life, the universe and everything.

Just consult the great Bill O'Reilly. You can find him on Dickipedia, he knows all this stuff.

Ettingshausen was one of my favourite players. The chances of finding another like him on another planet are in my opinion very very remote.

Have you never watched Star Trek? Almost half the Earth type planets out there have some sort of parallel development. Better still is if we invent transporters then have enough accidents with them we are bound to end up in a universe where ET was 20 years younger and had a really mean streak in him (which would be obvious by his black, twirly moustache and thigh length leather boots).

Course I watched Star Trek..but I always had this sneaky feeling that some of it was sort of fictional.

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one he said.

But, if they did, they'd surely look like us, for aren't we all made in Gods image, and if so then why would he carry on and build trillions of other planets and not make all of them in his image too.

And...why would he go to all that hard work and then not mention any of this in the bible, maybe Star Trek is the New, New Testament ?

Just PM SaintsFan, he'll have a word with god and find out if he did make any more in his image.

Mind you, if anyone spots him popping down Willy Hill's with the school tuck shop money, best be looking over his shoulder when he's writing his slip

He's a she.