Lesson 43 Are there strangers in space?宇宙中有外星人吗？

We must conclude from the work of those who have studied the origin of life, that given a planet only approximately like our own, life is almost certain to start.

must conclude from ^{必须从…得出结论}

• We **must conclude from the work** of those who have studied the origin of life.^{我们必须从那些研究生命起源的人的工作中得出结论。}
• The jury **must conclude from the evidence** presented whether the defendant is guilty.^{陪审团必须从提交的证据中得出结论，被告是否有罪。}

the origin of life ^{生命的起源}

• Those who have studied **the origin of life**.^{那些研究生命的起源的人。}
• Scientists continue to debate the exact sequence of events that led to **the origin of life** on Earth.^{科学家们继续争论导致地球上生命起源的确切事件顺序。}

given a planet only approximately like our own ^{考虑到一个行星仅大约像我们自己的行星}

• That **given a planet only approximately like our own**, life is almost certain to start.^{考虑到一个行星仅大约像我们自己的行星，生命几乎肯定会开始。}
• **Given the current economic climate**, finding a job quickly will be challenging.^{考虑到当前的经济环境，快速找到工作将是具有挑战性的。}

life is almost certain to start ^{生命几乎肯定会开始}

• Given a planet only approximately like our own, **life is almost certain to start**.^{考虑到一个行星仅大约像我们自己的行星，生命几乎肯定会开始。}
• With the right conditions in place, the reaction **is almost certain to start**.^{在具备适当的条件的情况下，反应几乎肯定会开始。}

Of all the planets in our own solar system, we ware now pretty certain the Earth is the only one on which life can survive.

of all the planets ^{在所有行星中}

• **Of all the planets** in our own solar system, the Earth is the only one on which life can survive.^{在所有我们自己的太阳系行星中，我们现在几乎可以确定地球是唯一一个生命可以生存的行星。}
• **Of all the candidates** interviewed, she was clearly the most qualified.^{在所有接受面试的候选人中，她显然是最合格的。}

we are now pretty certain ^{我们现在非常确定}

• **We are now pretty certain** the Earth is the only one on which life can survive.^{我们现在非常确定地球是唯一一个生命可以生存的行星。}
• After reviewing the data, **we are now pretty certain** about the direction of the market.^{在审查了数据之后，我们现在非常确定市场的走向。}

is the only one on which life can survive ^{是唯一一个生命可以生存的行星}

• The Earth **is the only one on which life can survive**.^{地球是唯一一个生命可以生存的行星。}
• This isolated valley **is the only place in which this rare species can survive**.^{这个孤立的山谷是唯一一个这种稀有物种可以生存的地方。}

Mars is too dry and poor in oxygen, Venus far too hot, and so is Mercury, and the outer planets have temperatures near absolute zero and hydrogen-dominated atmospheres.

too dry and poor in oxygen ^{太干燥且贫氧}

• Mars is **too dry and poor in oxygen**.^{火星太干燥且贫氧。}
• The desert region is **too dry and poor in nutrients** to support large-scale agriculture.^{这个沙漠地区太干燥且营养贫乏，无法支持大规模农业。}

far too hot, and so is Mercury ^{太热了，水星也是如此}

• Venus **far too hot, and so is Mercury**.^{金星太热了，水星也是如此。}
• The first estimate was **far too low, and so was the second**.^{第一个估算太低了，第二个也是如此。}

near absolute zero ^{接近绝对零度}

• The outer planets have temperatures **near absolute zero**.^{外行星的温度接近绝对零度。}
• The deep space probe recorded conditions **near absolute zero**.^{深空探测器记录了接近绝对零度的条件。}

hydrogen-dominated atmospheres ^{以氢气为主的大气层}

• And the outer planets have **hydrogen-dominated atmospheres**.^{外行星有以氢气为主的大气层。}
• The gas giant is characterized by its thick, **helium-dominated atmosphere**.^{这个气态巨行星的特点是其厚厚的、以氦气为主的大气层。}

But other suns, stars as the astronomers call them, are bound to have planets like our own, and as is the number of stars in the universe is so vast, this possibility becomes virtual certainty.

are bound to have ^{必然会有/必定拥有}

• Other suns, stars as the astronomers call them, **are bound to have planets like our own**.^{其他恒星，天文学家称之为恒星，必然会有像我们自己的行星。}
• Given the pressure, the system **is bound to have a major failure** soon.^{考虑到目前的压力，这个系统很快必然会有一次重大故障。}

this possibility becomes virtual certainty ^{这种可能性就变成了事实上的确定性}

• As the number of stars in the universe is so vast, **this possibility becomes virtual certainty**.^{由于宇宙中恒星的数量如此巨大，这种可能性就变成了事实上的确定性。}
• Given the success of the prototype, the launch of the final product **becomes virtual certainty**.^{考虑到原型的成功，最终产品的推出就变成了事实上的确定性。}

There are 100,000 million stars in our own Milky Way alone, and then there are 3,000 million other Milky Ways, or galaxies, in the universe.

in our own Milky Way alone ^{仅在我们自己的银河系中}

• There are 100,000 million stars **in our own Milky Way alone**.^{仅在我们自己的银河系中就有1000亿颗恒星。}
• The conservation area **alone** hosts hundreds of species of birds.^{仅这个保护区就拥有数百种鸟类。}

3,000 million other Milky Ways, or galaxies ^{30亿个其他银河系，即星系}

• And then there are **3,000 million other Milky Ways, or galaxies, in the universe**.^{宇宙中还有30亿个其他银河系，即星系。}

So the number of stars that we know exist is now estimated at about 300 million million million.

the number of stars that we know exist ^{我们知道存在的恒星数量}

• **The number of stars that we know exist** is now estimated at about 300 million million million.^{我们知道存在的恒星数量现在估计约为300万亿亿颗。}
• The exact number of errors **that we know exist** needs to be calculated immediately.^{我们知道存在的错误的精确数量需要立即计算出来。}

is now estimated at about ^{现在估计约为}

• The number of stars is **now estimated at about 300 million million million**.^{恒星的数量现在估计约为300万亿亿颗。}
• The total cost of the project **is now estimated at about** ten million dollars.^{该项目的总成本现在估计约为一千万美元。}

Although perhaps only 1% of the life that has started somewhere will develop into highly complex and intelligent patterns, so vast is the number of planets, that intelligent life is bound to be a natural part of the universe.

develop into highly complex and intelligent patterns ^{发展成高度复杂和智能的模式}

• Only 1% of the life that has started somewhere will **develop into highly complex and intelligent patterns**.^{只有1%在某个地方开始的生命会发展成高度复杂和智能的模式。}
• The simple single-celled organisms took eons to **develop into highly complex and intelligent patterns** of life.^{简单的单细胞生物花费了数亿年才发展成高度复杂和智能的生命模式。}

so vast is the number of planets ^{行星的数量如此之多（倒装句）}

• **So vast is the number of planets**, that intelligent life is bound to be a natural part of the universe.^{行星的数量如此之多，以至于智能生命必然是宇宙的自然组成部分。}
• **So challenging was the task**, that the team had to work overtime for weeks.^{任务如此具有挑战性，以至于团队不得不加班数周。}

intelligent life is bound to be a natural part of the universe ^{智能生命必然是宇宙的自然组成部分}

• Intelligent life **is bound to be a natural part of the universe**.^{智能生命必然是宇宙的自然组成部分。}
• Technological advancement **is bound to be a natural part of human history**.^{技术进步必然是人类历史的自然组成部分。}

If then we are so certain that other intelligent life exists in the universe, why have we had no visitors from outer space yet?

so certain that... exists ^{如此确定…存在}

• If then we are **so certain that other intelligent life exists** in the universe.^{既然我们如此确定宇宙中存在其他智能生命。}
• The police were **so certain that the suspect was hiding** in the building, they immediately initiated a search.^{警方如此确定嫌疑人藏在建筑物里，他们立即展开了搜索。}

had no visitors from outer space yet ^{还没有来自外太空的访客}

• Why have we **had no visitors from outer space yet**?^{为什么我们还没有来自外太空的访客呢？}
• The remote village **had no electricity yet** until the solar panels were installed.^{这个偏远村庄还没有通电，直到太阳能电池板安装好。}

First of all, they may have come to this planet of ours thousands or millions of years ago, and found our then prevailing primitive state completely uninteresting to their own advanced knowledge.

First of all ^首先

• **First of all**, they may have come to this planet of ours.^{首先，他们可能在数千或数百万年前来到我们这个星球。}
• **First of all**, check the battery level before assuming the device is broken.^{首先，在假设设备损坏之前，检查电池电量。}

may have come to this planet of ours ^{可能已经来到我们这个星球}

• They **may have come to this planet of ours** thousands or millions of years ago.^{他们可能在数千或数百万年前已经来到我们这个星球。}
• She **may have forgotten to notify us** about the schedule change.^{她可能已经忘记通知我们日程的变动。}

our then prevailing primitive state ^{我们当时普遍存在的原始状态}

• And found **our then prevailing primitive state** completely uninteresting.^{并且发现我们当时普遍存在的原始状态完全不感兴趣。}
• The documentary depicted **the then prevailing medieval customs** in great detail.^{这部纪录片详细描绘了当时普遍存在的中世纪习俗。}

completely uninteresting to their own advanced knowledge ^{对他们自己的先进知识来说完全不感兴趣}

• Found our then prevailing primitive state **completely uninteresting to their own advanced knowledge**.^{发现我们当时普遍存在的原始状态对他们自己的先进知识来说完全不感兴趣。}
• The child found the lecture on quantum physics **completely uninteresting to his own playful nature**.^{这个孩子发现关于量子物理的讲座对他自己爱玩的天性来说完全不感兴趣。}

Professor Ronald Bracewell, a leading American radio astronomer, argued in Nature that such a superior civilization, on a visit to our own solar system, may have left an automatic messenger behind to await the possible awakening of an advanced civilization.

a leading American radio astronomer ^{一位主要的美国射电天文学家}

• Professor Ronald Bracewell, **a leading American radio astronomer**, argued in Nature.^{罗纳德·布雷斯韦尔教授，一位主要的美国射电天文学家，在《自然》杂志上提出论点。}
• The article was written by Dr. Elena Rodriguez, **a leading European climate scientist**.^{这篇文章是由埃琳娜·罗德里格斯博士，一位主要的欧洲气候科学家撰写的。}

on a visit to ^{在访问…之际/进行访问}

• Such a superior civilization, **on a visit to our own solar system**, may have left a messenger behind.^{这样一个高级文明，在访问我们自己的太阳系之际，可能留下了一个自动信使。}
• The delegation was **on a visit to the neighboring country** to discuss trade agreements.^{代表团正在访问邻国，讨论贸易协定。}

may have left an automatic messenger behind ^{可能留下了一个自动信使}

• Such a superior civilization **may have left an automatic messenger behind**.^{这样一个高级文明可能留下了一个自动信使。}
• The hikers **may have left a crucial piece of equipment behind** at the last campsite.^{徒步旅行者可能把一件关键的设备忘在了上一个露营地。}

to await the possible awakening of an advanced civilization ^{等待一个先进文明的可能觉醒}

• To await **the possible awakening of an advanced civilization**.^{等待一个先进文明的可能觉醒。}
• The seed bank was established **to await the possible need for specific genes** in the future.^{建立种子库是为了等待未来对特定基因的可能需求。}

Such a messenger, receiving our radio and television signals, might well re-transmit them back to its home-planet, although what impression any other civilization would thus get from us is best left unsaid.

might well re-transmit them back to ^{很可能会将它们重新传回}

• Such a messenger, receiving our signals, **might well re-transmit them back to its home-planet**.^{这样一个信使，在接收到我们的无线电和电视信号后，很可能会将它们重新传回其母星。}
• If the server receives an unauthorized request, it **might well re-transmit an error code back to the client**.^{如果服务器收到未经授权的请求，它很可能会将一个错误代码重新传回给客户端。}

what impression any other civilization would thus get from us ^{其他文明由此会从我们这里得到什么样的印象}

• Although **what impression any other civilization would thus get from us** is best left unsaid.^{尽管其他文明由此会从我们这里得到什么样的印象最好不要说。}
• The artist worried about **what interpretation the critics would thus get from the abstract painting**.^{这位艺术家担心评论家由此会从这幅抽象画中得到什么样的解读。}

is best left unsaid ^{最好不要说/最好不提}

• What impression any other civilization would thus get from us **is best left unsaid**.^{其他文明由此会从我们这里得到什么样的印象最好不要说。}
• The details of their private disagreement **were best left unsaid** during the public meeting.^{他们私人分歧的细节在公开会议期间最好不要说。}

But here we come up against the most difficult of all obstacles to contact with people on other planets -- the astronomical distances which separate us.

come up against ^{遇到/遭遇}

• But here we **come up against** the most difficult of all obstacles.^{但在这里我们遇到了所有与其它行星上的人接触的障碍中最困难的一个。}
• The construction project suddenly **came up against** unexpected legal issues.^{该建设项目突然遭遇了意料之外的法律问题。}
• We must be prepared to **come up against** stiff competition in the international market.^{我们必须准备好在国际市场上遭遇激烈的竞争。}

the most difficult of all obstacles ^{所有障碍中最困难的}

• Here we come up against **the most difficult of all obstacles** to contact with people on other planets.^{在这里我们遇到了所有与其它行星上的人接触的障碍中最困难的一个。}
• Lack of consistent funding is **the most difficult of all obstacles** facing the research team.^{缺乏持续的资金是研究团队面临的所有障碍中最困难的。}

astronomical distances which separate us ^{将我们分开的天文距离}

• The **astronomical distances which separate us**.^{将我们分开的天文距离。}
• The company's two main offices are separated by **astronomical distances which make daily meetings impossible**.^{该公司的两个主要办事处被天文距离隔开，使得日常会议无法进行。}

As a reasonable guess, they might, on an average, be 100 light years away.

as a reasonable guess ^{作为一个合理的猜测}

• **As a reasonable guess**, they might, on an average, be 100 light years away.^{作为一个合理的猜测，它们平均可能在100光年之外。}
• **As a reasonable guess**, the concert tickets will sell out within hours of release.^{作为一个合理的猜测，音乐会门票将在发布后的几小时内售罄。}

on an average ^平均来说

• They might, **on an average**, be 100 light years away.^{平均来说，它们可能在100光年之外。}
• **On an average**, our employees commute for thirty minutes each way.^{平均来说，我们的员工单程通勤三十分钟。}

100 light years away ^{100光年之外}

• They might be **100 light years away**.^{它们可能在100光年之外。}

(A light year is the distance which light travels at 186,000 miles per second in one year, namely 6 million million miles.)

light year ^光年

• A **light year** is the distance which light travels at 186,000 miles per second in one year.^{光年是光以每秒186,000英里的速度在一年内传播的距离。}
• The nearest star is just over four **light years** away.^{最近的恒星距离我们刚刚超过四光年。}

namely ^{即/也就是}

• The distance which light travels... in one year, **namely 6 million million miles**.^{光在一年内传播的距离，即6万亿英里。}
• The main objective of the mission, **namely finding extraterrestrial life**, is highly ambitious.^{这次任务的主要目标，即寻找地外生命，雄心勃勃。}

Radio waves also travel at the speed of light, and assuming such an automatic messenger picked up our first broadcasts of the 1920's, the message to its home planet is barely halfway there.

travel at the speed of light ^{以光速传播}

• Radio waves also **travel at the speed of light**.^{无线电波也以光速传播。}
• All electromagnetic radiation is known to **travel at the speed of light** in a vacuum.^{众所周知，所有电磁辐射在真空中都以光速传播。}

assuming such an automatic messenger picked up ^{假设这样一个自动信使接收到}

• **Assuming such an automatic messenger picked up** our first broadcasts of the 1920's.^{假设这样一个自动信使接收到我们20世纪20年代的首次广播。}
• **Assuming all goes according to plan**, the construction should be finished by next month.^{假设一切都按计划进行，施工应该在下个月完成。}

is barely halfway there ^{才刚刚走完一半的路程}

• The message to its home planet **is barely halfway there**.^{发往其母星的信息才刚刚走完一半的路程。}
• The delivery, after three weeks of transit, **is barely halfway there**.^{这批货物，经过三周的运输，才刚刚走完一半的路程。}

Similarly, our own present primitive chemical rockets, though good enough to orbit men, have no chance of transporting us to the nearest other star, four light years away, let alone distances of tens or hundreds of light years.

though good enough to orbit men ^{尽管足以让人进入轨道}

• Our own present primitive chemical rockets, **though good enough to orbit men**.^{我们自己目前的原始化学火箭，尽管足以让人进入轨道。}
• The computer, **though good enough to handle basic tasks**, struggled with graphic-intensive programs.^{这台电脑，尽管足以处理基本任务，但在处理图形密集型程序时很吃力。}

have no chance of transporting us to ^{没有机会将我们运送到}

• Our rockets **have no chance of transporting us to** the nearest other star.^{我们的火箭没有机会将我们运送到最近的另一颗恒星。}
• Without a strong sales team, the company **has no chance of transporting its vision to** the mass market.^{没有强大的销售团队，公司就没有机会将其愿景传达给大众市场。}

let alone ^更不用说

• Have no chance of transporting us to the nearest other star, four light years away, **let alone** distances of tens or hundreds of light years.^{没有机会将我们运送到最近的另一颗恒星（四光年之外），更不用说数十或数百光年的距离了。}
• I don't have enough money for a new phone, **let alone** a new laptop.^{我没有足够的钱买一部新手机，更不用说一台新笔记本电脑了。}

Fortunately, there is a 'uniquely rational way' for us to communicate with other intelligent beings, as Walter Sullivan has put it in his excellent book, We Are not Alone.

uniquely rational way ^{独特的理性方式}

• Fortunately, there is a **'uniquely rational way'** for us to communicate with other intelligent beings.^{幸运的是，存在一种独特的理性方式让我们与其它智能生物进行交流。}
• Developing a single global language would be a **uniquely rational way** to overcome communication barriers.^{开发一种单一的全球语言将是克服交流障碍的一种独特的理性方式。}

communicate with other intelligent beings ^{与其它智能生物进行交流}

• There is a 'uniquely rational way' for us to **communicate with other intelligent beings**.^{存在一种独特的理性方式让我们与其它智能生物进行交流。}
• One of the primary goals of the SETI project is to find a way to **communicate with other intelligent beings** in the cosmos.^{SETI项目的主要目标之一是找到与宇宙中其他智能生物进行交流的方法。}

as Walter Sullivan has put it ^{正如沃尔特·沙利文所说}

• **As Walter Sullivan has put it** in his excellent book, We Are not Alone.^{正如沃尔特·沙利文在他的优秀著作《我们并不孤独》中所说。}
• The challenge facing the industry, **as the CEO has put it**, is one of adaptation and innovation.^{正如首席执行官所说，行业面临的挑战是适应和创新。}

This depends on the precise radio frequency of the 21-cm wavelength, or 1420 megacycles per second.

depend on ^{取决于/依赖于}

• This **depends on** the precise radio frequency of the 21-cm wavelength.^{这取决于21厘米波长的精确无线电频率。}
• The success of the mission **depends on** flawless execution of the launch sequence.^{任务的成功取决于发射序列的完美执行。}
• Your ability to access the data **depends on** having the correct security clearance.^{您访问数据的能力取决于拥有正确的安全许可。}

precise radio frequency ^{精确的无线电频率}

• This depends on the **precise radio frequency** of the 21-cm wavelength.^{这取决于21厘米波长的精确无线电频率。}
• Scientists are tuning their instruments to receive signals at that **precise radio frequency**.^{科学家们正在调整他们的仪器，以接收该精确无线电频率的信号。}

21-cm wavelength ^{21厘米波长}

• The precise radio frequency of the **21-cm wavelength**, or 1420 megacycles per second.^{21厘米波长，即每秒1420兆周的精确无线电频率。}

It is the natural frequency of emission of the hydrogen atoms in space and was discovered by us in 1951; it must be known to any kind of radio astronomer in the universe.

natural frequency of emission ^{自然的发射频率}

• It is the **natural frequency of emission** of the hydrogen atoms in space.^{它是太空中氢原子的自然发射频率。}
• The specific color of the laser light is determined by the **natural frequency of emission** of the material used.^{激光的特定颜色由所用材料的自然发射频率决定。}

was discovered by us ^{被我们发现}

• And **was discovered by us in 1951**.^{并于1951年被我们发现。}
• The ancient tomb **was discovered by us** during the archaeological survey last year.^{这座古墓是在去年进行考古调查时被我们发现的。}

must be known to any kind of radio astronomer ^{宇宙中任何射电天文学家都必定知道}

• It **must be known to any kind of radio astronomer** in the universe.^{宇宙中任何射电天文学家都必定知道它。}
• The fundamental laws of physics **must be known to any kind of advanced civilization**.^{物理学的基本定律宇宙中任何先进文明都必定知道。}

Once the existence of this wave-length had been discovered, it was not long before its use as the uniquely recognizable broadcasting frequency for interstellar communication was suggested.

Once... had been discovered ^{一旦…被发现}

• **Once the existence of this wave-length had been discovered**, it was not long before its use was suggested.^{一旦这个波长的存在被发现，不久之后就有人建议将其使用。}
• **Once the ancient map had been discovered**, the treasure hunt began in earnest.^{一旦这张古老的地图被发现，寻宝活动就正式开始了。}

it was not long before ^{不久之后/很快地}

• **It was not long before** its use as the uniquely recognizable broadcasting frequency was suggested.^{不久之后，就有人建议将其用作星际通信的独特可识别广播频率。}
• **It was not long before** the small startup company dominated the entire market segment.^{不久之后，这家小型初创公司就主导了整个细分市场。}

interstellar communication ^星际通信

• The uniquely recognizable broadcasting frequency for **interstellar communication** was suggested.^{有人建议将其用作星际通信的独特可识别广播频率。}
• Developing methods for **interstellar communication** remains one of the greatest challenges in science.^{开发星际通信的方法仍然是科学界最大的挑战之一。}

Without something of this kind, searching for intelligences on other planets would be like trying to meet a friend in London without a pre-arranged rendezvous and absurdly wandering the streets in the hope of a chance encounter.

without something of this kind ^{没有这种类型的东西}

• **Without something of this kind**, searching for intelligences on other planets would be like trying to meet a friend.^{没有这种类型的东西，在其他行星上寻找智能生命就像试图与朋友见面一样。}
• **Without something of this kind** to guide us, the research could wander aimlessly for years.^{没有这种类型的东西来指导我们，这项研究可能会漫无目的地进行数年。}

searching for intelligences on other planets ^{在其他行星上寻找智能生命}

• **Searching for intelligences on other planets** would be like trying to meet a friend in London.^{在其他行星上寻找智能生命就像试图在伦敦与朋友见面一样。}

without a pre-arranged rendezvous ^{没有预先安排好的会面地点}

• Trying to meet a friend in London **without a pre-arranged rendezvous**.^{试图在伦敦与朋友见面，却没有预先安排好的会面地点。}
• The spy operated **without a pre-arranged rendezvous**, relying solely on cryptic messages.^{这名间谍在没有预先安排好的会面地点的情况下行动，完全依赖于神秘的信息。}

absurdly wandering the streets ^{荒谬地在街上游荡}

• And **absurdly wandering the streets** in the hope of a chance encounter.^{荒谬地在街上游荡，希望能偶然相遇。}
• After getting lost, we found ourselves **absurdly wandering the streets** in the wrong direction.^{迷路后，我们发现自己荒谬地在街上游荡，走错了方向。}

in the hope of a chance encounter ^{希望能偶然相遇}  

• Wandering the streets **in the hope of a chance encounter**.^{在街上游荡，希望能偶然相遇。}
• She attended the conference every year **in the hope of a chance encounter** with her mentor.^{她每年都参加会议，希望能偶然遇到她的导师。}