Astrobiology Quotes

“Do there exist many worlds, or is there but a single world? This is one of the most noble and exalted questions in the study of Nature.”
― Magnus Saint Albertus

“Life is not a miracle. It is a natural phenomenon, and can be expected to appear whenever there is a planet whose conditions duplicate those of the earth.

[Stating how planets supporting life cannot be rare.]”
― Harold Urey

“A man that is of Copernicus’ Opinion, that this Earth of ours is a Planet, carry’d round and enlightn’d by the Sun, like the rest of them, cannot but sometimes have a fancy  …   that the rest of the Planets have their Dress and Furniture, nay and their Inhabitants too as well as this Earth of ours.… But we were always apt to conclude, that ’twas in vain to enquire after what Nature had been pleased to do there, seeing there was no likelihood of ever coming to an end of the Enquiry  …   but a while ago, thinking somewhat seriously on this matter (not that I count my self quicker sighted than those great Men [of the past], but that I had the happiness to live after most of them) me thoughts the Enquiry was not so impracticable nor the way so stopt up with Difficulties, but that there was very good room left for probable Conjectures.”
― Christiaan Huygens

“[My study of the universe] leaves little doubt that life has occurred on other planets. I doubt if the human race is the most intelligent form of life.”
― Harold Urey

“Very high altitude astronomy only works by ignoring established biological science”
― Steven Magee

“It would appear that the blue sky is actually produced by the solar wind and solar radiation exciting air molecules to emit light, just like a neon lamp!”
― Steven Magee, Light Forensics

“However life started, once established, it persisted for over 3.5 billion years and evolved from microbial slime to the sophistication of human civilization.”
― David C. Catling, Astrobiology: A Very Short Introduction

“Over-the-counter ‪‎drug‬ ‪‎abuse‬ or addiction was a problem that I observed at Mauna Kea”
― Steven Magee

“I have been through the OSHA system twice and I can confirm that I did not have the right to a safe workplace or whistle-blower protection on either occasion.”
― Steven Magee

“In the Solar System, Enceladus ought to be one of the highest priorities for the world's space agencies. Enceladus has a source of energy (tidal heating), organic material, and liquid water. That's a textbook-like list of those properties needed for life. Moreover, nature has provided astrobiologists with the ultimate free lunch: jets that spurt Enceladus's organic material into space.”
― David C. Catling, Astrobiology: A Very Short Introduction

“Oxygen deprivation and supplemental oxygen are both bio-hazards for Mauna Kea workers”
― Steven Magee

“One of the biggest lies that is currently being told in the USA workplace is on the legally required OSHA poster: All workers have the right to a safe workplace.”
― Steven Magee

“I have worked with some of the greatest minds in astrophysics and it is now clear that they were the dunces of astrobiology.”
― Steven Magee, Health Forensics