Interesting conversations in the Scientific American Web Site today.

  This first one (Click Here) is about the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and the obvious speculations that go with it.  Clearly, the researchers involved in the SETI project presume that any extra terrestrial intelligent race we my find will post no threat to us.  In fact many hole the belief that such a race would be highly advanced and altruistic, sharing with us their accomplishments.  Others, including Stephen Hawking, have pointed out that we have not rational basis for this attitude; they prompt the idea that we should keep quiet until we are better able to protect ourselves on a planetary level.  As much as I love this kind of highly speculative conversation...  I must point out that we have absolutely no factual information from which promote either position.  Cautious exploration seems the only wise and rational option. 


This Second story (Click Here) explores new astronomical discovers about planets and their niche in the galaxy.  It appears that some planet size bodies may not orbit a star but have their own path around the galactic center.