• Question: Any more convincing evidence that dinosaurs existed and aliens exist?

    Asked by pattymbaji to Ben, Dave, Ed, Sam, Susana on 18 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Benjamin Hall

      Benjamin Hall answered on 18 Jun 2013:

      Dinosaurs did exist and still do! Birds are the direct descendants of a group of dinosaurs known as the Theropods. We can follow this through the fossil record, which is a very reliable tool for studying evolution.

      In fossils of some theropod dinosaurs we can find the origin of feathers, which probably arose as mechanisms for getting rid of excess body heat and later found use for gliding and flight. The skeletons of birds and theropod dinosaurs are remarkably similar, their lungs were almost the same, they cared for their young in the same way and both posessed gizzards for processing their food.

      As for aliens, I’m not sure. There is certainly evidence that extra-terrestrial life exists but we’ve never found intelligent life. The atmosphere on Mars, for example, could only be produced if microbial life were present somewhere on the planet.

    • Photo: David Briggs

      David Briggs answered on 18 Jun 2013:

      Dinosaurs – fossil record. Plenty of evidence there.

      Aliens – just numbers. There is a famous equation called the Drake equation (google it!).
      The Drake equation states that the probability of life existing “out there” depends on how many planets there are, whether or not they are stable, the right temperature, whether or not water is present.

      When you solve the Drake equation, even with the most pessimistic estimates of the number of planets, their habitability, etc, you always end up with a number greater than 1! There is almost certainly life out there somewhere!

    • Photo: Sam Horrell

      Sam Horrell answered on 18 Jun 2013:

      Dinosaurs definitely existed, I’ve seen their bones in various museums in England and other countries. Dinosaurs are the best part of any museum! The really interesting thing is that Dinosaurs actually evolved from birds so they technically still exist today they’re just a little more feathery and less likely to eat us.

      Aliens on the other hand there is little to no concrete proof, there’s always the possibility its all been hidden away. I like to think there are other life forms out there in the universe. It’s such a big place and we know there are planets out there with water that could potentially support life. They may be just like us, maybe they’re completely different. Either way, I hope they are out there.

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