Could dinosaurs still be alive, but living as aliens on other planets? According to research published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, it’s a possibility worth considering. The study suggests that by researching compounds present on other planets, but not on Earth, that were around during the age of the dinosaurs, we may find evidence of their existence.
One crucial element that scientists believe could lead to a groundbreaking discovery is oxygen. During the time of dinosaurs, oxygen levels on Earth were as high as 30 per cent, compared to the current 21 per cent. This allowed dinosaurs to thrive and dominate the planet for millions of years. If similar oxygen levels can be discovered on faraway planets, it could mean that conditions are right for alien-like dinosaurs to exist.
The study’s co-author Lisa Kaltenegger stated, “This gives us hope that it might be just a little bit easier to find signs of life — even large, complex life — elsewhere in the cosmos.”
The search for signs of a Phanerozoic stage on other planets is on, as it would allow creatures like dinosaurs to evolve. Rebecca Payne of Cornell University, the study’s lead author, said, “These light fingerprints are what you’d search for elsewhere if you were looking for something more advanced than a single-celled organism.”
If other planets are found to have similar conditions, Kaltenegger believes it could lead to the discovery of never-before-seen dinosaurs. “Hopefully we’ll find some planets that happen to have more oxygen than Earth right now because that will make the search for life just a little bit easier,” she added.
So, could alien dinosaurs be out there, waiting to be discovered? The idea is definitely food for thought.
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