Well, I was searching to see if this was already made, but the searches didn't show a thread with my idea so here it is. I am making this thread so we can have a typical tavern discussion thread for all things science! Basically, a thread for everything science! Ranging from discussions about laws and theories, scientific debate, breakthroughs, discussion about new scientific breakthroughs, certain scientists/philosophers, and all that good stuff! So go out there and let out your inner science! ;P To get us going somewhere I'll start: what do you think the future holds for technology? I think our knowledge will allow us to overcome the obstacles thrown at us in the future, I mean, we have discovered so much and have come so far!
The Drake Equation, which is used to estimate the number of extraterrestrial life has allowed us to place a rough figure of 1000 E.T in our own galaxy!
Black Holes
Why does one discuss Black Holes so often, while its equally interesting brothers - magnetars and pulsars are forgotten?
Black holes are more discussed because they are simple but people think they are incredibly complex. Alot of noobs know some stuff about them but that makes it common knowledge, but they still think it makes them sound smart because Steven Hawkin and Carl Saegan talk about them. Anybody can say E=mc^2, not many actually understand it. I once said E=mc^2 and the reply was, "****, you're smart."
they are simple but people think they are incredibly complex.
I disagree.
They're simple and yet they're complicated. Simple because a science layman can understand that black holes are a point in space-time where the effect of gravity is so high that nothing can escape it. Complicated because even am astrophysicist cannot give a relevant explanation about singularities.
The size of animal populations are highly dependent on the environment around them. Assuming that these lifeforms we are talking about are bugs, there is a much better chance that they would have smaller body types. Bugs are commonly listed are r-species which causes them to adapt to unstable environments better, one way of accomplishing this is by having a smaller body type. That being said, should all the factors favor the bugs. Perhaps there would be some type of evolution to k-species bugs, where they would be larger, have a longer life span, and reproduce later in life. So in a sense, you could be right.
Keep in mind on this planet we once had 8 foot centipede like animals and dragonflies with 2.5 foot wing spans as a result of higher oxygen levels. Another thing limiting a species with exoskeletons are the fact they have to shed them to grow new ones. At very large sized they would be crushed under their own weight. With lower gravity this problem can be overcome. I suppose there are other ways this issue could be overcome such as maybe an intermediate skeletal structure between molts.
The planet would have to be small (compared to Earth) low gravity with a hot humid oxygen rich environment.
Hooray! It makes me happy that the thread is picking up speed now. :P I would imagine that you guys are talking about aliens now. Or dinosaurs? And also apparently Black Holes.
Keep in mind on this planet we once had 8 foot centipede like animals and dragonflies with 2.5 foot wing spans as a result of higher oxygen levels.
That's true. After the meteor hit, the oxygen levels dropped and now most things are smaller than they were before. Also, animals had to hide from the predators, and a smaller size helps.
Keep in mind on this planet we once had 8 foot centipede like animals and dragonflies with 2.5 foot wing spans as a result of higher oxygen levels.
Everybody always forgets to mention the spiders and scorpions. Of course, but we also had 200 foot dinosaurs. Big difference.
Another thing limiting a species with exoskeletons are the fact they have to shed them to grow new ones. At very large sized they would be crushed under their own weight. With lower gravity this problem can be overcome. I suppose there are other ways this issue could be overcome such as maybe an intermediate skeletal structure between molts.
How about multilayered exoskeletons with load bearring reenforcement struts akin to those used in buildings?
The planet would have to be small (compared to Earth) low gravity with a hot humid oxygen rich environment.
It wouldn't have to be small, just nonmassive. If it was a spongy or hollow planet and it rotated at a high enough speed, it could be as large or even larger than Earth and still have a much lower effective gravity. It can't spin too fast, however, as it may shed its atmosphere. A planet with a 20% oxygen concentration, 1/4 Earth's mass and half it's rotational period sounds like it would be a fairly good enviroment for a maximum sized bug.
Everybody always forgets to mention the spiders and scorpions. Of course, but we also had 200 foot dinosaurs. Big difference.
Most of the large dinosaurs were not that large (only one was I think). Average size for the larger dinosaurs were between 12 and 50 feet. In fact most dinosaurs were actually in the 1 or 2 foot range, but we more commonly think of the larger breeds.
How about multilayered exoskeletons with load bearring reenforcement struts akin to those used in buildings?
That's one possibility. I was also thinking of some sort of rudimentary endoskeleton, perhaps made of cartilage like a shark. it wouldn't be very functional on it's own but it would help hold the animal together during molts.
It wouldn't have to be small, just nonmassive. If it was a spongy or hollow planet and it rotated at a high enough speed, it could be as large or even larger than Earth and still have a much lower effective gravity. It can't spin too fast, however, as it may shed its atmosphere. A planet with a 20% oxygen concentration, 1/4 Earth's mass and half it's rotational period sounds like it would be a fairly good enviroment for a maximum sized bug.
Good point about the make up of the planet itself. Here on Earth the atmosphere had to be around 32% oxygen. Earth's oxygen concentration is around 20%.
Why does one discuss Black Holes so often, while its equally interesting brothers - magnetars and pulsars are forgotten?
We know a lot less about black holes than most any other cosmic body. For example we know next to nothing on the behavior of two black holes merging or the lifespan of black holes. Magnestars don't' make us question the very laws of the universe. Personally I would rather see people more interesting the the universal constants and a multidimensional universe.
Good point about the make up of the planet itself. Here on Earth the atmosphere had to be around 32% oxygen. Earth's oxygen concentration is around 20%.
I would think that having two suns at the perfect distance would also be beneficial. Maybe a complex orbit that involves having longer days than nights.
As was said in the This Thread is Currently About: thread, post quality is inverse to post quantity.
Yes and no, with just the three of us, it was definitely quality. With more people, there might be some more people to contribute to the quality.
I would think that having two suns at the perfect distance would also be beneficial. Maybe a complex orbit that involves having longer days than nights.
Uh, like Dragon has said, bugs tend to thrive in humid/moist climates. One sun is just fine... If we wanted a desert planet, then two suns with longer days is appropriate.
Nobody says "That thing was as big as a chicken!" They usually refer to the 20+ foot dinosaurs.
Most of the dinosaurs are still small. You yourself just admitted it in a way by saying the 20+ foot.
I know alot of dinosaurs (which might not be that many) are small, but when you say dinosaur, most people think of a giant lizard looking thing, not a scaly chicken with a tail and claws. Coincidentally, geneticists say it would be incredibly easy to change a couple of genes to make a chicken a midget raptor.
