Lookin' For Slime in All the Outer Spaces

[Tuckerfan]

“Slime worlds” may prove excellent targets for the search for extraterrestrial life, according to new calculations. The research suggests future space missions may be able to detect the signature of microbial life around as many as 200 nearby stars.

One of the top priorities for future missions scouting for Earth-like planets is to look for atmospheric components such as oxygen, water, and methane, which could signal life. But these molecules are not always biological in origin, so astronomers believe they can strengthen the case for possible life if these candidates show other intriguing signatures.

One is called the “red edge” - a spike in the amount of near-infrared light emitted from a planet. Plants and some microbes on Earth reflect this light - apparently because absorbing it would cause them to overheat during photosynthesis.

So will we call the inhabitants of such worlds Slimerians?

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

@Tuckerfan

So will we call the inhabitants of such worlds Slimerians?

I can think of a political party…

[Leaper]

Just don’t let any fans of the Dragon Quest/Warrior game series near 'em…

[Kythereia]

It’s the Vogons, didn’t you know?

Everybody get their towels!

[Dijon_Warlock]

I, for one, welcome our new Slimerian ov-…

[sub]What?..Oh…[/sub]