Is there life out there? Almost definitely, say UK scientists

Intelligent extra-terrestrials almost certainly exist on distant planets beyond our solar system, leading British astronomers told the government yesterday.

The scientists expect that the first evidence of primitive alien life, such as microbes and vegetation, will emerge within 10 years, with more substantial finds following future space missions.

The experts, from high-ranking UK universities and research institutes, were gathered in London by the science minister, Malcolm Wicks, to describe the latest advances in the search for distant, habitable planets capable of harbouring life.

A recent revolution in technology means astronomers can now spot Earth-like planets orbiting faraway stars, raising the chances of alien life being found. By analysing reflected light, it is becoming possible to find any that may host vegetation and breathable atmospheres.

"Twenty years ago we only had one solar system to study and that's the one we live in. But since then, there's been an explosion in the number of planets outside our solar system that we've been able to detect," said Professor Keith Mason, chief executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council and former head of space physics at University College London. Some 200 planets have been detected orbiting stars other than the sun.

Scientists this year announced the discovery of a warm, rocky "second Earth" circling a distant star called Gliese 581, about 20 light years away in the constellation of Libra. Crucial measurements of the planet's surface temperature range revealed it was able to hold liquid water, believed to be a prerequisite for life.

In 2015, the European Space Agency will launch a mission called Darwin, a cluster of four orbiting telescopes that will scour the heavens for life-bearing planets. For five years, the telescopes will peer at 500 stars and conduct spectral analyses of the 50 most promising planets it detects.

"You can be pretty sure that if there's life out there, we've a good chance of being able to say so," said Glenn White, head of astrophysics at the Open University and a scientist on the Darwin project.

Our own existence may already have come to the attention of any aliens who are peering in our direction across the depths of space. Since the advent of radio waves, stray signals have leaked from Earth and travelled as far as 80 light years into space, far beyond the closest stars.

"If there's intelligent life out there, they sure as hell know we're here," said Michael Perryman, an astrophysicist at the European Space Agency.

The seven scientists, who included Ian Stevens, head of extrasolar planets at Birmingham University, and Suzanne Aigrain, of Exeter University, all believed that life existed elsewhere. Only Dr Perryman believed humans to be the sole intelligent beings in the universe.

-- By Ian Sample, Science Correspondent - The Guardian

The (fading) legend of Tendulkar. And what next for Team India?

The legend began in the Pakistani winter of '88-'89. Wasim, Imran, Waqar and most famously, Abdul Qadir had all been impressed by this new Bombay whiz-kid. The legend grew in imminence at Perth and Headingley - the purists dazzled by impeccable centuries against quality attacks. Flourishing through the mid-90s, it hit its zenith in '98 what with the Little Master winning matches on his own and tonking the likes of Warne, Olonga and whoever else with the temerity to bowl, all over the park. And then, it began going downhill.

In the summer of '98 and the Sharjah Sandstorm behind him, Sachin was 24 and audiences (and hapless bowlers) world-wide, were scared to contemplate the possibilities. The innocuous, the deadly, the respectable and the magical - were all dispatched with equal indifference to the boundary fences that Sachin fancied. Runs and centuries flew off the wide blade and the usually reclusive Don Bradman was publicly airing his admiration for the other li'l fella.

Since, albeit laced with a Test average of 56 and 18 centuries for matches between Oct 98 till date, it hasn't been the same. Gone are the poise, the confidence (bordering on arrogance), sterling footwork, masterful ability to play stinging pace and a self-belief to challenge, to excel and win. All in a phased manner, of course and a few bright exceptions - a Chennai '01 century against the Aussies, a discplined double hundred at the SCG (240 runs without a single scoring shot through cover!) and the World Cup 2003 (where he was Man of the Series) spring forth to mind.

The period starting Jan '05 till the beginning of the Bangladesh series have yielded 789 runs at an avg. of 34 with one century of 109 (record-breaking 36th) scored against the Lankans. Hardly tidy, given the class. So why can't we entertain thoughts of dropping him from the test team? Although an average of 37 in the shorter format in the same period does not merit the same question, one does tend to think that the ODIs are better off played by the young (especially in the wake of a disastrous World Cup campaign). So what does the road ahead look like? And should Sachin be part of the trip?

Amidst silly tours to Ireland, Bangladesh and whatever else takes the BCCI's fancy, there is the serious business of taking on England in their backyard for a 4 test series and 7(!!) ODIS followed by a gruelling tour of Australia at the end of the year. I firmly believe there is nothing to be gained out of playing Sachin - by him or by the team.

I'd rather have Yuvraj and the younger co. getting to know what it is like to face Harmison on a balmy Headingley morning, or a Lee scorcher on Boxing Day at the MCG. VVS Laxman, that supreme artist, frequently misses out on the playing XI on account of the other Big Boys refusing to vacate their probably undeserving positions in the team. And what point would Sachin prove to anybody by spanking an Aussie attack sans McGrath and Warne?

Ian Chappell recently quoted that Tendulkar should retire if he cannot conjure his attacking game when India need it most. Stodgy batting was never a Sachin specialty, but to see him at it again and again, against modest-to-pitiful attacks in situations that demand skill, nerve and aggression has been utterly painful.

When the Master gets his stumps a clean-up from the likes of Dilhara Fernando in a critical World Cup game, and an unknown in Mortaza gets him to jump and weave on placid Bangladeshi pitches, it's time questions were asked. If anything, Sachin could do a Ganguly - by going back into the hut for a while before coming out fired and hungry. Having said that, Ganguly could do with a second stint in the hut too.

There is a theory which suggests that sides perform better without struggling greats in their ranks. The rationale being that players tend to give the struggling greats as much space as possible, consequently disturbing their own game. India has surely done better in the last 2-3 years as a One-Day team without Sachin in the playing XI, than with him. Players tend to play with more responsibility, a flatter organizational structure can be put in place and there is more purpose and intent about the way they go about their game. Sadly, these are the very ingredients that make a successful team and are missing in the Indian make-up.

I'd rather have them both - Sachin and Sourav retiring from all forms of the game. There isn't much that these two can offer apart from the over-rated experience factor. Fitness, finesse and hunger are in scarce supply and Indian cricket does not stand to gain anything substantial from playing these two greats - apart from delaying the inevitable and possibly stumbling upon short-lived scraps of joy. We run an even bigger risk of stifling fringe talents (a la Kapil and Srinath) and compromising any sense of optimism in the ranks.

It is time Sachin hung up his boots. Even if he does find the touch of yore. If not, the Indian cricketing gravy train would do well to leave him behind and make way for a younger man - who would surely be not as good, but might relish the opportunity more.

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16 Reasons why MAN rocks!

As if we need to justify our position at the very top of the food chain; because we solve problems to the best of our abilities, and more often than not - that's good enough.

We may have enjoyed the privilege of having Newton, Einstein, Edison and co. demystifying the universe for us, but man's intellect, ingenuity and sense for innovation are greatly under-rated.

To the Human Spirit - in overcoming everyday life.

'Welcome to Fucking, Austria!'

'Bitte - nicht so schnell' is German for 'Please - not so fast!'.... LOL

Tourists are causing a lot of anxiety - and money - to a tiny village where signs keep disappearing. What do signs say? "Welcome to Fucking, Austria". Pronounced Fooking, the little hamlet is named after a 6th century gentleman by the name Focko who founded it.

The town sign has been stolen seven times in the last few months already. Siegfried Hoeppel, the mayor of Fucking, has to spend a sizeable amount of his annual budget on replacing stolen signs.

But with signs like these, surely we'd want the entertainment going!!

The World's Best Skylines

Seattle, USA

Sydney, Australia

Shenzen, China

Toronto, Canada

Singapore

NYC, USA

Shanghai, China

Hong Kong

Coffee-Table Computing from Microsoft

Remniscent of Spielberg's Minority Report, a sizzling piece of hi-tech wizardry..