When human beings walked out of the earth and saw the vast universe, they had a dream, that is, to discover more habitable planets, so that humanity’s footsteps can spread across the entire galaxy and even the entire universe.
There are countless galaxies and planets in the vast universe. Naturally, it is impossible for us to search indiscriminately without a direction, so that humans may never find a habitable planet. The universe is so big that we can’t imagine it. Therefore, human beings need to develop a set of criteria to search for habitable planets, and to narrow the search scope based on this criteria.
Since human beings have not found a second planet of life after leaving the earth, and we don’t know what kind of planet the alien life inhabits, we can only use the earth as a model to formulate search criteria.
Scientists believe that since the universe has endowed the earth with the attributes of life, the characteristics of the earth itself and the characteristics of the solar system in which it is located are bound to be very conducive to the birth of life. It is very scientific and reasonable to formulate a habitability model based on the various factors contained in the earth. After this habitability model is formulated, then when humans search for habitable planets, the scope will be greatly reduced.
The habitability model formulated according to the formulation mainly includes six factors, namely: the main star is similar to the sun, is located in the habitable zone, and the distance from the star is just right. The planet itself has an atmosphere and a magnetic field, and there is a giant planet guarding it outside. There is a big satellite.
The above six factors are the key to the earth’s ability to become a living planet and eventually evolve into human beings. None of them are indispensable. For example, the main star is preferably a yellow dwarf star similar to the sun. This type of star has a longer lifespan, is relatively stable, and has moderate radiation energy, which can provide suitable light and heat for the planet in the habitable zone.
With this condition, we can significantly narrow the search range. It is important to know that there are at least hundreds of billions of stars in the Milky Way alone. If all of them are searched, it will take a long time and may not be rewarding. However, after the standards for yellow dwarfs are established, the searchable range will be greatly reduced.
You know, the number of stars in the universe is too large to be counted. In the entire star family, yellow dwarfs account for only a few, but there are more massive stars. Therefore, when we are searching for habitable planets, we can completely ignore other types of stars and focus on yellow dwarfs.
In the plan to search for habitable planets outside the department, scientists customized a similarity index, referred to as ESI, according to the standards of the earth. If the ESI index of a planet is very close to 1, it means that it has a higher similarity to the earth, and vice versa, the farther away from 1, the lower the similarity to the earth.
In the solar system, Mars has the highest ESI index, reaching 0.73. It is precisely because of the high similarity between Mars and the Earth that scientists have spent more energy exploring and studying Mars in the past half a century. And Mars is also the second homeland that mankind expects, but it is not a natural habitable planet, and it needs a series of transformations in the future to become the second earth.
Through the habitability model of the Earth developed by scientists, and under constant search by astronomical telescopes, some planets with higher ESI indexes have been discovered. Among them, one named Taigaden Star b has an ESI index of 0.95, which is very similar to the Earth. , Is almost a replica of the earth.
It is naturally a very happy thing to find an exoplanet that is so similar to the earth. However, since this planet is about 12 light-years away from the earth, humans currently have no ability to explore it. We must know that for current human technology, a distance of one light-year is also a moat, and it is a distance that cannot be crossed. At the current speed of human aircraft, it takes about 20,000 light-years to complete a distance of one light-year, and 12 light-years is 240,000 years.
Of course, with the continuous advancement of human science and technology, once scientists turn the theory of curvature engines into reality in the future, space jumps can be realized. The speed of the spacecraft can exceed the speed of light. At that time, 12 light-years were only a very short distance, and it could be reached in a short time.
When human beings have the ability to navigate across the stars, the Milky Way will become our back garden, free to explore. When we become an interstellar civilization, we will find many habitable planets, most of which are very suitable for human survival, even more beautiful than the earth.
But when we discover a large number of habitable planets, we will also discover that there is a high probability that there is already life on these planets, and even the existence of intelligent civilization. If a planet already has an intelligent civilization, then if human beings want to own it and realize migration, there is a high probability that there will be conflicts and wars with the natives on the planet.
So a question arises: if humans discover a habitable planet, will they destroy the native creatures on it? Some friends may say that mankind is a peace-loving civilization. Since this planet already has an intelligent civilization, then we can just leave and look for the next habitable planet. There is no need to fight for this planet.
If you think so, it is too idealistic and too simple to think. When Columbus discovered the New World, he also saw that there was an owner on it. Did Columbus leave? Of course not, I believe my friends all know the rest, it was a cruel battle.
Human beings and alien civilization are two different intelligent races. Naturally, human beings do not have such a noble quality of peace in their hearts. In the face of alien indigenous people, human beings think more about the future of human civilization. Although the universe is vast and vast, with countless habitable planets, to realize free exploration of the universe, it is necessary to develop technology to the ultimate.
For human beings who have just become interstellar civilizations, the area we can explore is also very limited. In this area, it is very difficult to find a habitable planet suitable for human survival. Now it is hard to find one. , Will we give up? of course not.
We must know that the earth’s environment is becoming less and less suitable for human survival, and we urgently need a new livable planet. Once such a planet is discovered by us, no matter how difficult it is, we have to take it down, occupy this planet, and become the new home of mankind.
And if we want to completely occupy a planet, will the native alien civilization agree? Obviously will not agree. For the future and continuation of mankind, even if we cannot bear it, we have to carry out an extermination operation to wipe out all the natives on this planet. This is the cruelty between cosmic civilizations. Hawking has warned many times: let humans not try to contact alien civilizations, because that is a very dangerous thing.
Once an alien civilization finds that the earth is suitable for their survival, there is a high probability that the earth will be occupied and emigrated. Naturally, human beings will not give up the earth. The alien civilization naturally understands this, so the war of civilization broke out with the strength of mankind. It is impossible to fight a powerful interstellar civilization, and in the end it can only end with unwillingness.
Therefore, once mankind becomes an interstellar civilization and leaves the solar system, it means that the road to colonization of mankind is also opened. On the road to colonization, it has never been so smooth. It will inevitably be accompanied by various struggles, and wars between civilizations are inevitable. The elimination of life on alien planets may be commonplace for interstellar civilization. Some people have speculated that the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago may also be related to alien civilization, but there is still evidence.
