Are we Alone?

Is the Earth the only source of life?

 
Everybody seems intrigued by these questions as space exploration continues pursuing other planets that might support life as we know it.
So far all attempts to find life sustaining conditions on Mars or other planets have not been conclusive.

Nonetheless the search continues for the elusive life form not found on the earth.

Recently a planet has been discovered that might have the minimal conditions for life. Researchers detected a planet orbiting one of Earth's nearest stars, a cool red dwarf called Gliese 581. This planet is the most Earth-like ever spotted and is thought to have perfect conditions for water, an essential ingredient for life. It isn’t so far away only 20 light years away in the constellation of Libra. That all means that a space probe traveling at even half the speed of light could reach this planet in 40 years. We can even try to send coded messages, which would arrive in only 20 years!

Putting this into perspective

If space travelers wanted to visit the planet they would need to leave at age 18 (this might constitute an extended tour of duty for military service).  Asuming our calculations are accurate, they would arrive at age 58 ( maybe ) rest up after a tiring journey for a year and then return at age 99. 

Alternatively, using the much faster means of communication, it would take only 20 years for them to download our e-mail message.  That doesn’t seem so crazy after all!