E.T life for science fiction - Writers Forum

starStuff · 05-25-2008, 09:47 PM

for all those science saavy out there. i myself have a decent knowledge of science, but of course i am always questioning. so i am seeking feedback/knowledge for an idea i have in creating extraterrestrial life.

the life forms are silicon based, and live on a planet with an atmosphere of nitrogen. I don't know too much about the science fictions of silicon based life forms, but i would imagine they are very smooth and have flexible bodies. The creatures i imagine get their energy from the sun. Parts of their skin act, essentially, as solar cells absorbing sunlight and storing it for use. they also absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere, and circulate it throughout their bodies. the interaction between the nitrogen and stored sunlight creates the energy they need. is this feasible? I'm not quite sure how sunlight could chemically interact with nitrogen to create energy.

any thoughts?

Ilasir Maroa · 05-25-2008, 10:26 PM

They call it science "fiction" for a reason, love. What you describe is highly unlikely, just looking at the molecular properties (though I admit to being no expert) of the elements in question. Also considering the sunlight idea, nitrogen wouldn't as far as I am aware, react with sunlight in a way that would create energy. But don't let that stop you.

Your best bet is to stick with the solar-panel silicon idea, I think, though again, I'm no expert. I'm really not sure silicon would even be able to form celuular life, with proteins, so I must say I'm unsure as to how you would develop a life-form such as you suggest. It is likely that such a natural evolution is impossible. So, again, use that "fiction" to its utmost, and don't go into too much detail.

Alternatively, do some research into nitrogen/phosphorus biochenmistry. You may be able to include silicon in that, but the molecular stability of silicon compounds, especially ones with possible biochem uses is very low. Also, you'd still needs some oxygen, especially to metabolize nitrogen-sugar analogues.

Mike C · 05-26-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starStuff

is this feasible?

You tell us. You're the one making it up.

Try going back and reading some of the old 'Golden Age' SF writers. Silicon, carbon, tentacles, tripods, bipeds, monopods, all non-human life is there.

The one thing that they have in common is that their creators didn't bother giving us biochemistry lessons. You write them, therefore they exist.

Beardedtroll · 05-26-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilasir Maroa

They call it science "fiction" for a reason, love.

On the other hand, they call it science fiction for a reason, too. It's okay to make stuff up, but it really helps if you get the basics right. Pick up a book or two on inorganic chemistry and see what'll work and what won't. Or start here.

starStuff · 05-26-2008, 02:20 PM

I hear you, I understand that i'm in control and fiction affords me the luxury of whatever my mind imagines. My style, though, leans more towards the science side of science fiction. I prefer too keep things at least to some degree feasible, even if only loosely within the bounds of the wildest scientific theories. I like my stories to have an element of realism, to make people wonder, instead of the criticism of impossibility.

Anywho, I plan on doing some research. I know the possibility of silicon based life has at least been looked at by science in the past. I know it has never been seriously tested. I suppose, also, that I do not want to come across as ignorant. So, I'm just looking for any knowledge or feedback on what silicon based life would be like were it possible.

I'm with bearded troll, the fiction has to hold at least loosely to science. I will check that link when I get to my computer (on my phone now)

In the meantime, any other feedback is appreciated.

Beardedtroll · 05-26-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starStuff

In the meantime, any other feedback is appreciated.

Not sure how much useful feedback you can expect on a writer's forum about this -- it's rather specific knowledge you're after. Maybe ask on a forum for chemistry?

Ilasir Maroa · 05-26-2008, 10:26 PM

Lol, okay, point made. There's really not much you can get here that will help more than your own research. Most people have a basic understanding of the idea at most, and the experts are unlikely to be on a site like this. I'm farily certain there are some silicon polymers out there that could give ideas, and I think nitrogen could be used in metabolic reactions if you stretch things, but it's really the molecular instability that is at issue as far as I undertsand the facts. Even thoug silicon is in the same group as carbon, its size(I think) works against the possibility of flexible, stable reactions like those that carbon can form.

From the "if possible..." standpoint, you're looking probably at a non-oxygen atmosphere, with a non-water solvent. Of course, solvent feasibiliy is at least as complex as a silicon basis. It would likely be based on something like a hydrocarbon, because you need those hydrogen bonds if you want to plot it somehwat closely along the lines of carbon-based life. I'm not sure anyone has done research far enough to give an idea of what life would be like without a close parallel to our own system.

DarkHorse220 · 05-27-2008, 12:23 AM

Worth a read:

Atomic Rocket: Aliens