From LADbible · · 1m 10s
Brian Cox's alien theory
Professor Brian Cox says aliens could be a 'weight off our shoulders' and why their existence would terrify us.
In brief
Professor Brian Cox says aliens could be a 'weight off our shoulders' and why their existence would terrify us. Professor Brian Cox believes aliens could be a 'weight off our shoulders' but their absence would be terrifying. Originally reported by LADbible.
Brian Cox reveals alien theory
Professor Brian Cox explains why he thinks aliens exist and why their presence would be reassuring.
“The reason I say we don't know is because in terms of astronomical evidence”
SETI project history
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence has run for 50 years with no detected signals.
“We've had a project called SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, which has really been running since the invention of the radio telescope pretty much or not long after, so at least 50 years”
Great silence mystery
Astronomers call the lack of detected signals the 'great silence' which Cox calls a tremendous mystery.
“It is a tremendous mystery, I would say, why we haven't detected any signal or any evidence of any civilization out there”
Microbial life common
Cox believes microbial life is likely common in the solar system including Mars and Europa.
“I'm guessing that microbes are common, even in the solar system”
Intelligence rarity
Cox says the time from single cells to intelligence is enormous making intelligent civilizations extremely rare.
“My guess is that the length of time it takes to go from single cells to intelligence is enormous”
Existence would be reassuring
Cox says aliens would be a 'weight off our shoulders' if they exist nearby.
“I would absolutely love that because given what you said, I feel it would take a weight off our shoulders”
Area 51 skepticism
Cox says there's nothing at Area 51 despite rumors of UFO activity and alien autopsies.
“I don't think there's anything there at all”
The bottom line
Professor Brian Cox believes aliens could be a 'weight off our shoulders' but their absence would be terrifying.
