Life in different corners of the universe
Have you ever wondered how come while Captain Kirk keeps venturing into various corners of the universe following the rallying cry to go where no one has gone before, and yet, he still ends up facing living forms that are not that different from him. Other than the episodes are an outcome of the imagination of a group of screenwriters, and the fact that their imagination is somewhat constrained by what they have experienced, could there be a more basic reason for the outcomes of Captain Kirk’s adventures?
Possibly yes.
Below is a simple axiomatic theory of how life could have come into being in different corners of the universe, and further, how it might be constrained to follow the same biological paradigm that we, and Captain Kirk, have on planet Earth.
While you read through it, please remember that although I have some background in physics, and would not venture into the realm of absurd speculations, try not to split hairs at the “physics” statements below. If it is more palatable, take these words as science fiction (that my immediate family loves to read) that is grounded in some reality of physical laws as we know them now.
Since it is an axiomatic theory, let us start with a few axioms (with less being better).
Axiom 1: Atoms are the constructing blocks for everything in the universe.
Axiom 2: The Big Bang happened and created a uniform soup of matter (i.e., atoms) and energy.
Starting with a uniform distribution of matter, random fluctuations in its density would result in lumpiness in some parts of the nascent universe, and those lumps subsequently evolved into stars and galaxies we observe today.
All stars, at their core, are engaged in thermonuclear fusion which is “necessary” to counteract the inward gravitational pressure of surrounding gas of atoms and in the process release energy. If they do not then the gaseous cloud will compress inwards and implode to become black holes.
This energy from thermonuclear fusion heats up the core of the stars. This heat conducts outwards towards the surface, warms up the outer layers and is radiated into the space as photons.
The reason we “see” stars is because they are burning under pressure just like we do when we come under some stress!
The spectral density of the energy that is radiated outward depends on the temperature of the outer layer of the star (which is determined by the size of the star and how actively thermonuclear fusion has to work to ward off the inward pressure of the surrounding gas) and the elemental structure of the outer layers (which dominated by the first element in the periodic table — hydrogen).
The photons coming out of the stars traveling through the empty space are the source of energy that is available for consumption and is the energy that reaches the planets that circle around the stars.
Although planets are also made up of the same atoms as their host star, planets are not the producers of energy via thermonuclear fusion but are consumers of the energy that falls on their surface.
Just as the wine loving crowd on different corners of the Earth says that wine is a terrible thing to waste and makes sure that every drop in the bottle is consumed, the atoms on the planets also indulge in the motto that energy available to them is also a terrible thing to waste.
With the cheap availability of the star’s energy, atoms interact and dance together. Some have the affinity to bond with others and form simple molecules, which over time, form into more and more complicated molecules.
Eons pass by and the structure of molecules keeps getting complicated. A few more eons later some of the molecules, by chance, figure out that with the help of each other they can self-replicate. By doing so, they start the epic battle of natural selection — evolving structures that are more efficient in consuming the energy that is available to anyone.
And then the rest is history, bringing us to the point that I am in the process of putting these words together that you might be reading.
The source of all energy molecules at their disposal have come from the radiation that is emitted by the star in their proximity. The spectral density, and peak wavelength (defined as the peak wavelength at which the spectral density is the highest) of the emitted radiation depends on the relative abundance of the atom in the star and its size.
The hottest stars have the peak wavelength in the ultraviolet and blue parts of the spectrum while cooler stars emit more in the red and infrared parts. The peak wavelength of the Sun’s emitted radiation is in the visible part of the spectrum and falls in the yellow-green region, and corresponds to a yellowish color.
In the lingo of astrophysicists, although the sun is a yellow-dwarf, and yet, it is mighty enough to be the source of all wonders that surround us.
The progression from atoms to simple molecules to more complex, and eventually to emergence of self-replicating molecules from which all life evolved fundamentally depends on the fact that stars are the source of energy, the peak wavelength of which falls between ultraviolet and infrared. All the progress that happens on the surface of the planet circling the star evolves follows its energy source.
Starting from the axioms that the fundamental ingredient of everything in the universe are the atoms, and following the big bang the inevitability of random fluctuations leads to the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets, also lies the inevitability of the emergence of life forms and the constraint that they all will follow a similar biological paradigm. It is because …
… as physical laws determine the spectral density of the radiation emitted by the stars, all life in different corners of the universe is constrained to follow the availability of somewhat similar spectral density for the energy available to them. With the availability of an energy source, eventually, self-replicating molecules emerge to consume their free lunch.
No wonder, whether it is Klingons or some other friend or a foe, Captain Kirk keeps encountering similar biological forms as us.
Ciao.
