Yes, Vancouver, there are aliens in space

By DHARM MAKWANA, 24 HOURS

 

Canadians agree: The truth is out there.

A Strategic Council survey released yesterday showed close to two thirds of respondents said they believe life exists outside of our planet. Count on UBC astrophysicist Jaymie Matthews to vote "yes" as well.

"We live in a galactic city of stars, whose populations is several hundred billion stars, and our sun is just one," he said. "In those terms, it's unlikely this is the only place where life, and intelligent life, have developed."

A majority of Canadians polled are also in favour of interplanetary exploration in search of new life.

Matthews said Mars, the logical choice for an interstellar trek, might yield traces of life in forms people least expect.

"It's most likely what we'd find would be fossils of microbes," he said. "If Mars was more hospitable in the past, perhaps plant life."

Expeditions to the red planet have yet to yield results proving life exist there. So far, scientists have confirmed glaciers hold water on the planet.

Though Matthews isn't convinced evidence of water equates to intelligent life, his lifelong passion for stargazing has him hoping for something more.

"Believe me, if there's anyone who wants to meet an alien it's an astronomer," he said. "I'm here. Come!"