The first distant planet was discovered in 1995.
第一个遥远的行星发现于1995年
Since then, hundreds more have been found.
从那以后,又发现了上百个
This, I think, is a pretty exciting discovery.
我认为这些都是相当令人兴奋的发现
It could be an coverage of a major break through.
这可能会是一个重大的突破
One that will both redefine our view of life in the universe
这会让我们重新界定我们的宇宙生命观
and be a real triumph for science itself.
也会是科学真正的成功
Somewhere out there, perhaps not so far away,
在外太空的某处,或许并不远
is a rocky planet a bit like earth,
有一颗类似于地球的岩态行星
a planet with liquid water,
一颗拥有液态水的行星
where life has begun.
而生命就在那里起源
Due to the power of evolution,
由于适者生存的进化作用
aliens here might be surprisingly familiar,
这里的外星人可能看上去非常的熟悉
even if, at first, they seem anything but.
即便它们最初看起来很不一样
Aliens that eat, for example, need an input orifice,
例如,外星人需要一个进食口进食
or, as most people say, a mouth.
或者,也就是我们所说的,一张嘴
Likewise, if they live on a solid surface,
同样,如果他们生活在固态地表的话
they'll probably have legs.
他们很可能是有下肢的
The detail might be different,
下肢的具体情况可能会有所不同
but legs are good things to have on land,
但在陆地上行动,下肢还是非常有用的
especially if the animal is clinging to the side of a cliff.
特别是在动物攀爬峭壁的时候
If the planet is well-lit,
如果行星上光线较好
eyes are almost guaranteed.
那么拥有眼睛就几乎是肯定的
They let a creature accurately sense its environment.
眼睛使生物能够准确地觉察所处的环境
Even the position of the eyes will follow the same rules as on earth.
就连眼睛的位置也会遵循与地球上一样的规则
Prey animals tend to have eyes on either side of their head,
被捕食类动物的眼睛倾向于长在头的两侧
allowing them to look out for predators.
使得它们能够防备食肉动物的袭击
Predators, even alien ones,
食肉动物,即使是外星食肉动物
need forward-facing eyes to accurately judge distance
也需要前视的眼睛以精确的判断距离
an essential skill when hunting.
这是捕猎时的一种重要技能