What kind of creatures can live on other planets? Do they look like people or did life take a completely different, unexpected form there?
As we learn more about our universe, scientists are starting to speculate about what aliens from space might look like. Here are some of the theories put forward by researchers about what aliens might look like.
Space aliens
1. Huge jellyfish
British researcher Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock believes that the aliens may be sea animals that use pulses of light to communicate with other aliens.
Their body expands from sunlight and they are covered with a metal surface to absorb light. To grow and reproduce, they have mouth openings to absorb chemicals from the atmosphere. Lenses help them see their surroundings. The lower body of the aliens is colored orange for camouflage, and special bags allow them to stay in the air.
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The scientist built her theory based on how life in the oceans originated on our planet. She concluded that creatures could interact with the atmosphere on other planets, just as organisms in the oceans interact with water.
Aliens on Earth
2. Insects
Cockroaches are considered one of the most resilient creatures on the planet. Thanks to their thick exoskeleton, they can survive in a wide variety of extreme conditions, including a nuclear explosion.
Life forms similar to such insects are the most likely candidates for the role of alien creatures, given the variety of habitats in the universe.
Meeting with aliens
3. Similar to people
British paleontologist Simon Conway Morris believes that if alien life exists, then we need to be wary of it.
He put forward the theory that aliens are likely to be similar to humans not only externally and biologically, but also have the same disadvantages, such as greed, aggressiveness and a tendency to use the resources of others.
As the scientist explained, evolution is quite predictable, and the biosphere on other planets should lead to the emergence of the same intelligent creatures with a constantly growing need for resources.
What do aliens look like?
4. Non-carbon life form
Most of the life forms found on our planet are made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur. However, in 2010, scientists found organisms that do not need oxygen.
This has raised several questions regarding how we imagine life and what it can be.
There are scientific hypotheses according to which there are non-carbon forms of life in the Universe, namely flint ones. Silicon is found just below carbon in the periodic table, has similar chemical properties, and is widespread throughout the universe.
If so, aliens are unlikely to have anything to do with what we see on our planet.
What kind of aliens are there?
5. Fantastic creatures
There are 60 billion planets within the Milky Way alone, where extraterrestrial life can exist and take any fantastic forms.
Astrobiologist Dr. Lewis Dartnell of University College London has made several speculations about what aliens might be like on planets other than ours.
On planets covered with vast oceans, aquatic creatures can develop, similar to those that live in the depths of our oceans.
On a planet with strong gravity and a dense atmosphere, large, strong and aggressive flying creatures may live. In icy worlds, bacteria are likely to survive, which will unite in giant networks.