>way it did here. carbon is a building block for life on
>earth. it could be silicon or a completely different element
>somewhere else.

i'm always wondering about this...these scientists are always wondering big about presence of water on mars and other planets....in part to determine if it could support 'earthly' life, BUT ALSO to see if life exists within those planets...

i always thought, what if their life doesnt need water? what if their life thrives under 300 degreees celsius?

anyway, random thoughts....

but yeah i agree with you.