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New Find Boosts Prospects For Life On Distant Moons

sciencehabit writes "Imagine life on an Earth-like moon, one so close to its gas giant host that its landscape is bathed in a dusklike planetary glow. Such places are not only possible but also probable, according to a new study, which finds that as many as 5% of gas giant planets orbiting their stars at Earth-like distances may harbor habitable 'exomoons.' According to simulations, alien gas giants (like our Jupiter and Saturn) could pull in earth-like planets from the interior of their young solar systems. Though many of these planets would crash into the gas giants or later be flung into space, some would evolve stable orbits and stable climates, eventually setting the stage for life."

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  1. Re:Err, waitaminute. by That+Guy+From+Mrktng · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Why do ET life research imply that whatever we should find must have the same weakness and conditions as found on the earth? The only thing in common should be evolution and if you start from some extreme conditions (extreme from our point of view) then you evolve your way around to them. Life that evolves from planet with strong gravity would be massive and strong, Life evolving in methane atmosphere would have bio-combustion chambers instead of lungs. etc.

    It's like making first contact and waiting for the ETs to wear neckties and speak proper English, have some religion (God forbid an atheist ET) and be amused with the 3 stooges.

    South park's Space Police anyone?