CSI Publication

Magazine Overview

This document is a publication from the Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York (CSI), issue number 3, priced at 15 cents. It is dated April 18, 1955, and features a lecture by Mrs. Mary Warren Schiffmann, affiliated with the Amateur Astronomers Association, titled "Life on Other Planets?"

Lecture on Life on Other Planets

Mrs. Schiffmann began by defining "life" with two conditions: chemical complexity (primarily carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen) and the derivation of energy from chemical processes like fermentation, photosynthesis, or combustion. She suggested that intelligent beings capable of space travel would likely use combustion.

Origin of the Solar System and Life

She then presented current scientific views on the origin of the solar system and life on Earth, referencing theories developed over the past 15 years. A key theory, proposed by Lyman Spitzer and further developed by von Weizsaecher and Kuiper, suggests the solar system originated from a large, cold, dark globule of gas influenced by interstellar turbulence. This mass contracted, forming the sun at its center and smaller eddies at various distances that condensed into planets and moons. Earth formed at a distance where the temperature was at the melting point of ice, a crucial factor for life's origin.

Earth vs. Moon: Atmospheric Development and Craters

Mrs. Schiffmann contrasted the development of Earth and the Moon. Earth's larger size allowed it to retain an atmosphere, which slowed down meteors and facilitated erosion by rain and wind. This resulted in few visible meteor craters on Earth, with only two known examples cited (South Africa and Germany). In contrast, the Moon's weaker gravity meant atmospheric molecules escaped. Meteors striking the Moon would largely impact the surface directly, their energy creating lava flows. The resulting "lava lake" would cool slowly, with subsequent meteor impacts creating more craters, leading to the Moon's appearance resembling an oversized thimble. The formation of the crater Plato was mentioned as an ongoing process.

Confirmation of Meteor-Volcanic Theory

An interesting confirmation of the meteor-volcanic theory for lunar craters came from Dr. Baldwin, who studied bomb craters. He found a logarithmic relationship between crater diameter and depth, which also applied to Earth's few known meteor craters and, more accurately, to the Moon's craters.

Early Earth Atmosphere and Amino Acid Formation

During Earth's early period, its atmosphere was composed of hydrogen, helium, methane, ammonia, and water, with little free oxygen but possibly some carbon dioxide. These elements, under the influence of thunderstorms and ultraviolet rays (as ozone was scarce), could naturally form amino acids. Dr. Urey's experiments demonstrated this by assembling these substances in a closed circuit and applying an electric discharge, resulting in amino acid formation within a week. Earth acted as a vast laboratory over billions of years.

The Emergence of Life

These amino acids dissolved in the oceans, forming a "thick organic soup." Proteins formed from amino acids led to the emergence of life, followed by evolution. Fermentation was an early process, photosynthesis began to release oxygen from carbon dioxide, and eventually, free oxygen in the air allowed for the development of life as we know it.

Timeline and Potential for Extraterrestrial Life

The universe is estimated to be about 10 billion years old, with Earth's oldest rocks dating back about 2 billion years. The Cambrian epoch, marked by the appearance of fossils, began around 500 million years ago. The lecture then addressed the probability of planets with intelligent life. While previously thought rare, it's now believed planets are common. An estimate suggested up to 100,000 planets in our galaxy might host "intelligent life," though few might be near Earth. The nearest star is invisible, and Alpha Centauri, a double star system, is likely too hot for life on its planets.

Planetary Habitability in Our Solar System

Mrs. Schiffmann discussed the habitability of other bodies in our solar system. Planets beyond the sun's habitable zone are too cold. Mercury experiences extreme temperature differences between its sides. The Moon has no atmosphere and likely no water, with only minor volcanic activity, suggesting any life would be unicellular. Titan (Saturn) has a methane atmosphere, possibly frozen. Other large moons of Jupiter and Saturn are too cold or lack atmospheres. The outer planets are extremely cold.

Venus remains a question mark due to its perpetual cloud cover, which shows only carbon dioxide. One theory suggests its water has combined with CO2 to form carbonates, making it a desert. An alternate theory posits Venus is entirely water, with life in its oceans. Mars has a thin atmosphere and frozen polar caps that melt, causing a "wave of quickening" and a green coloration that might indicate vegetation. However, the green areas are hotter than red areas, and the presence of vegetation is unconfirmed.

Intelligent Life and Faster-Than-Light Travel

Regarding intelligent life, Mrs. Schiffmann noted that even if intelligent beings existed 10 million years ago, they likely haven't achieved faster-than-light travel, as this aspect of Einstein's theory remains unquestioned by scientists. Traveling at light speed would result in infinite mass.

The Moon's Trajectory

In response to a question about the Moon's future, Mrs. Schiffmann stated that calculations indicate the Moon is actually receding from Earth, not approaching it, contrary to some beliefs about it exploding into a ring of particles.

Bibliography and Further Reading

The publication includes a bibliography for further reading, listing books on "Life on Other Worlds," "The Planet Mars," "Our Moon," and "The Planets: Their Origin and Development." It also references recent magazine articles from Scientific American, Sky and Telescope, and Readers Digest.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication, originating from the Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York, focuses on topics related to UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and astronomical phenomena. The lecture presented reflects a scientific yet open-minded approach to these subjects, exploring current theories and possibilities based on scientific understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging further research and discussion within the field of ufology and astrobiology.