Why does a colony ship traveling for centuries or millenia choose this particular planet?

• What if we introduce the discovery of an alien wreck somewhere in the currently reachable solar system (Earth, moon, nearby asteriods, Mars, et) with immense data storage regarding the species own colonial or survey efforts. Such a discover might just spark enough interest to inspire putting together missions to some of the worlds, and detailed planning to attempt to adjust the crew's biology to fit the destination environs. --DaveK

• I would argue against the aliens for this particular universe (although I like that idea). I think this should come from the Earth internally, in some format. Why? I'm not certain, but I think this has to do with keeping the universe as tightly bound to modern science extrapolation as possible. What is the chance of other life in the universe? 100%. That it's intelligent, 100%. That it can cross the vast voids of space quickly? --a very low percent. I'm not against a ship's crew coming across alien life, but I don't think it should be near our solar system vicinity. Having said this, my views on this are not set in stone. -- CmAmidon - 24 Jun 2004