The search for life outside the Earth is quite challenging, but researchers are making every effort. Moreover, scientists have considerable interest in working on this issue. Scientists will soon learn about signs of life in the outer world due to considerable advances in technology and astronomy.
Researchers are on the verge of discovering signs of life beyond Earth. One such expert is Sasha Hinckley, associate professor of astrophysics at the University of Exeter.
Professor Hinckley predicts that we hope to detect alien life on distant planets within the next few years. Along with a team of researchers, Professor Hinckley studied the atmospheres of exoplanets.
To study the atmosphere, the research team is using the James Webb Space Telescope, which is very advanced and very powerful. It is capable of orbiting stars other than our Sun.
The James Webb Space Telescope is capable of detecting traces of gases such as oxygen, methane or carbon dioxide in the air. By observing the state of the atmosphere, it will be possible to understand whether the planet has the presence of living organisms or not.
There is a high probability that life exists somewhere in the universe. Writing for The Spectator, Professor Hinckley said, “I believe that extraterrestrial life will be detected in my lifetime.” He cautions that finding something alien doesn’t mean we’re going to encounter an intelligent civilization.
According to NASA, there are about 100 million planets in our galaxy where evidence of life can be found. Some scientists estimate that we will find evidence of life on thousands of Earths within the next 10 to 20 years, which would be the greatest discovery in human history.
Dr. Gordon Gallup, a biopsychologist at the University at Albany, argues that the aliens may be too afraid of humans, who “engage in dangerous, violent, and endlessly bloody conflicts and wars.” He suggests that the aliens have already found us and decided to stay away for fear of being harmed or exploited by us.