Biosignatures

Scientists have uncovered ancient volcanic ash deposits at Mars's Oxia Planum, the landing site for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, offering a potential breakthrough in the search for past life. Likely from eruptions hundreds of kilometers away, these ash layers protected mineral-rich rocks beneath them, preserving potential biosignatures for billions of years. Cemented by groundwater in craters, the deposits act as natural time capsules from a period when Mars was wetter and possibly habitable. The rover, set to land in 2028, will explore these areas, aiming to unlock secrets of Mars’s ancient environment and the potential for alien life.

The search for extraterrestrial life is an ongoing mission for astrobiologists, with plans to search for microbial life on rocky exoplanets with atmospheres in the habitable zone of their host stars. The Habitable Worlds Observatory, recommended by the latest Decadal Survey in Astrophysics of the National Academies, will utilize a 6-meter space telescope to search for spectroscopic biosignatures of microbial life. In addition to searching for biological signatures, the Galileo Project, under the leadership of Avi Loeb, plans to search for technological artifacts within the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence faces new complexities as technological advancements, such as space platforms and self-replicating probes, could potentially relocate intelligent life away from their birth planet, challenging traditional search methods. As technology could potentially delay existential threats, the search for extraterrestrial life continues to evolve, with the hope of discovering the keys of life around the nearest "lamp post" in our cosmic neighborhood.

In a recent news article, the task of astrobiologists seeking evidence for extraterrestrial life and where to search for it was discussed. Astrobiologists plan to search for the molecular products of microbes on rocky exoplanets with atmospheres in the habitable zone of their host stars, as recommended by the latest Decadal Survey in Astrophysics of the National Academies, Astro2020. The Habitable Worlds Observatory, scheduled for launch by NASA in the 2040s, will search for biosignatures of microbial life. Harvard University's Galileo Project, led by Avi Loeb, aims to find technological artifacts near the Sun from interstellar space, also emphasizing the importance of searching for unfamiliar objects not produced by human-made technologies. This comprehensive approach highlights the need to invest in the search for both biological and technological signs of extraterrestrial life. Avi Loeb, the head of the Galileo Project and a prominent figure in astrophysics, is leading efforts to explore multiple avenues in the search for life beyond Earth.

Exoplanets' Oxygen Levels Unveil Alien Technology Presence Scientists have long relied on oxygen as a sign of extraterrestrial life. Now, researchers propose that oxygen could also indicate advanced technology. According to a study in Nature Astronomy, sufficient oxygen in an exoplanet's atmosphere may not only sustain life but also facilitate the development of fire, construction, and machinery. Adam Frank from the University of Rochester and Amedeo Balbi from the University of Roma Tor Vergata lead the research, suggesting that oxygen thresholds, particularly 18%, indicate a planet's potential for hosting advanced civilizations. The study emphasizes the need to prioritize exoplanets with high oxygen levels in the search for potential signs of technologically advanced life. If confirmed, this discovery could revolutionize our understanding of life beyond Earth and our place in the universe.

In a recent article published by Cédric DEPOND on Techno-Science.net, it is suggested that life may currently exist on Mars under specific conditions. Scientists are exploring the possibility of photosynthetic organisms thriving beneath the Martian ice, particularly in underground pockets of water. Research conducted by Caltech scientists indicates that microbial life could potentially survive if the Martian ice contains between 0.01% and 0.1% dust, with liquid water being generated by the melting of ice pockets. These findings offer hope for future missions to detect current life on Mars and could usher in a new era in the search for extraterrestrial life. The study emphasizes the importance of liquid water and light as key elements for potential life on Mars, with the presence of certain habitats similar to cryoconite holes observed on Earth.

A new theoretical model, reminiscent of the famous Drake Equation, has been developed by astrophysicists at Durham University to estimate the probability of intelligent life emerging in our Universe and hypothetical others. The model focuses on the conditions created by the Universe's expansion acceleration due to dark energy and the number of stars formed. The research, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggests that our Universe may not possess the most conducive properties for the emergence of intelligent life, as it experiences lower star formation efficiency compared to hypothetical universes. Lead researcher Dr. Daniele Sorini explains that understanding dark energy's impact on our Universe is crucial and that a significantly higher dark energy density could still be compatible with life, suggesting our Universe may not be the most likely for the emergence of intelligent life. This model opens the door to exploring the emergence of life across different universes and reinterpreting fundamental questions about our own Universe.

In a recent study submitted to Acta Astronautica, researchers Jacob Haqq-Misra, Clément Vidal, and George Profitiliotis explore the potential limits to growth of Earth's technosphere. They challenge the conventional Kardashev scale, suggesting that a civilization's energy capacity is limited not only by its luminosity but by its ability to harness stellar mass. They propose the concept of advanced technospheres evolving beyond the luminosity limit and harvesting energy directly from stellar mass. The study urges for an expansion of technosignature search strategies, beyond the traditional luminosity limit. This exploration of Earth's trajectory could offer insights into the search for extraterrestrial technospheres. The authors also suggest that the stellivore hypothesis could be tested through analyses of compact accreting stars. This study marks an important shift in understanding the potential trajectories and limits of advanced technospheres.

Physicist Stephen Hawking's cautionary perspective on the potential risks of contacting extraterrestrial civilizations is highlighted in a recent news article. Hawking warned that actively attempting to communicate with aliens could pose a threat to humanity, citing the "Intelligence Trap" concept in psychology, which suggests that highly intelligent individuals may be susceptible to cognitive biases. While recognizing the scientific curiosity behind the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, it is crucial for scientists and policymakers to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of such endeavors. With knowledge of physics guiding the efforts to identify potential communication methods and signals from extraterrestrial civilizations, the ethical and safety concerns surrounding this issue are brought to the forefront.

Scientists are exploring the idea of self-sustaining biological habitats that could support life in space without Earth-like conditions. By developing biogenic walls made from materials like silica aerogels and bioplastics, these habitats could block harmful radiation, retain essential gases, and let in sunlight to sustain photosynthesis. This innovative approach may enable autonomous ecosystems to survive far beyond Earth’s gravity, providing oxygen and recycling waste—ideal for future human missions or even alien life detection around other stars. If feasible, these habitats could transform our approach to life support and astrobiology, allowing life to thrive in extreme, uninhabitable environments.

The SETI Institute has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Frank Drake Postdoctoral Fellowship (FDPF), offering a unique opportunity for early-career scientists to drive innovation in the search for extraterrestrial life. The fellowship covers a wide range of fields related to the Drake Equation, including Astronomy, Astrobiology, Planetary Science, and more. Successful candidates will work towards advancing the mission of the SETI Institute to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe. This fellowship will provide mentorship, access to advanced facilities, and a stipend of $85,000, as well as research and travel allowances and medical benefits. Applications are open until December 15, 2024, with interviews scheduled to take place by March 1, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the SETI Institute's website.

The TRAPPIST-1 star system has been the subject of a recent search for potential radio signals that might indicate communication between planets. Using the Allen Telescope Array, scientists from Penn State and the SETI Institute conducted a 28-hour scan, focusing on planet-planet occultations (PPOs) where one planet moves in front of another from Earth’s perspective. Although no evidence of extraterrestrial technology was found, the research introduced a new way to search for signals in the future. The team's work opens the possibility of detecting signals from an alien civilization communicating with its spacecraft. The study, recently accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal, underscores the potential for future advances in detecting signals from systems like TRAPPIST-1, which contains potentially habitable planets.

In a recent study by scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), biological clues in the Wahbah Crater of Saudi Arabia have been discovered, providing insights into the potential for extraterrestrial life. The findings suggest that extremophiles found in the crater may serve as a model for life on Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, due to their ability to thrive in extreme conditions such as high temperatures and salinity. The two bacterial strains isolated from the crater exhibit adaptability suitable for the harsh environment of Enceladus, making them ideal candidates for studying life in extreme conditions. This research marks a significant step in the quest for understanding and detecting extraterrestrial life, as well as positioning Saudi Arabia as a valuable partner in space exploration efforts. The study, which has been published in Astrobiology, emphasizes the potential of studying extreme environments on Earth as models for detecting extraterrestrial life. Furthermore, the findings may influence future space exploration missions, such as NASA's Europa Clipper, aimed at exploring the potential for life beyond Earth. This groundbreaking research indicates the broader implications and contributions of studying extreme environments on Earth to the field of astrobiology and the ongoing quest for extraterrestrial life.

Researchers' use of the WISE all-sky catalogue of 500 million mid-infrared (IR) objects has raised questions about the potential detection of "technostructures," such as Dyson spheres/structures, around Gaia-2MASS-selected stars. While there has been speculation about the ability of WISE to identify extrasolar devices built by advanced civilizations, concerns about the potential noise in the large sample of Gaia-detected stars and the possibility of confusion with the emission from dusty background galaxies have been raised. A recent claim of seven potential Dyson Spheres/Structures in a publication was met with a rebuttal, and the detectability of these structures is also questioned due to potential countermeasures by advanced civilizations. The relevance of WISE-detected galaxies is discussed in more detail, leading to a suggested limit on the number and lifetime of such structures in the region observed by Gaia. Further research and discussion on this topic are ongoing, as scientists grapple with the challenges of distinguishing potential technosignatures from natural phenomena.

The metal shard believed by UFO hunters to potentially be alien technology has been sent to a national lab for analysis. The mysterious specimen, linked to the 1947 Roswell incident, showed properties that suggested an extraterrestrial origin. However, the analysis conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) revealed terrestrial isotopic signatures of magnesium and lead in the metal, ruling out alien biosignatures. The crystalline structure of the magnesium was found to be similar to alloys made on Earth, refuting claims of it being an alien waveguide. Although the exact origin of the sample remains unknown, all indications point to it belonging to Earth. The findings have sparked further questions and discussion within the UFO enthusiast community.

In a recent study, researchers used the Allen Telescope Array to conduct a radio technosignature search of the TRAPPIST-1 system, targeting potential signals from extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). The study focused on observing planet-planet occultations (PPOs) within the system, as these events could present an opportunity to detect radio transmissions from ETIs. By analyzing 28 hours of data, the researchers identified 7 possible PPO events and processed the signals using a filtering pipeline, ultimately identifying 11,127 candidate signals. However, no signals of non-human origin were detected, leading the researchers to calculate upper limits for potential ETI signals. The study marks the longest single-target radio SETI search of TRAPPIST-1 to date. This research adds valuable insight into ongoing efforts to detect technosignatures beyond Earth.

In a recent news story, a team of researchers has proposed a new approach to the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) by projecting what Earth could look like 1000 years from now. The team, including Jacob Haqq-Misra, an astrobiologist at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, used a method called "futures studies" to develop projections of Earth's potential "technosphere" in the future. By exploring various scenarios and potential technosignatures, the research aims to provide a theoretical basis for identifying advanced civilizations. The team's findings suggest that the traditional assumption of continuous technological growth may be too limiting, with alternative possibilities for long-term futures being more likely or numerous. This research could have implications for future SETI studies and provide a broader range of possibilities for humanity's future. The team's paper is currently being reviewed for publication in the journal Technological Forecasting and Social Change.

NASA is preparing to launch an 'alien-hunting' telescope that experts believe will uncover an inhabited planet by 2050. The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will search for a wide variety of biosignatures given off by living organisms. Dr. Jessie Christiansen, the chief scientist for NASA, is confident that HWO will find 'a signal in the atmosphere of a planet in the habitable zone of a star like our sun within our lifetime.' The telescope is set to launch around 2040 and has been deemed a 'Super Hubble' telescope that would directly image Earth-size planets circling other stars. Scientists working on the project have identified 25 Earth-like planets around sun-like stars as potential candidates. The telescope will also feature ultra-precise optics to scrutinize the atmospheres of these worlds for signs of life. With contracts totaling $17.5 million set to go into effect this summer, NASA is working on constructing HWO's next-generation hardware and code needed to pull in nearby exoplanet data in rich new detail. Dr. Christiansen believes that the discovery of proof of extraterrestrial life may start a revolution in life, religion, philosophy, and science.

In a recent study published in Nature's Scientific Reports, University of Texas at Dallas geoscientists, led by Dr. Robert Stern and Dr. Taras Gerya, have proposed a geological explanation for the scarcity of conclusive evidence for advanced extraterrestrial (ET) civilizations. Their research suggests that the presence of oceans, continents, and long-term plate tectonics on life-bearing planets is crucial for the evolution of active, communicative civilizations. The team revised the famous Drake equation to account for the necessity of these geological factors and estimated that the fraction of exoplanets with the optimal conditions for the emergence of intelligent life may be much smaller than previously thought, thus resolving the Fermi paradox. The findings suggest that favorable planetary conditions for the development of intelligent life in the Milky Way are extremely rare, shedding light on why conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations has not been found. This research has significant implications for astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life.

In the ultimate quest for extraterrestrial life, astronomer Sebastian Zieba from Leiden University has been studying small rocky exoplanets using data from the James Webb Space Telescope. Although no signs of alien life have been found yet, Zieba's research is valuable for future observations. By measuring the temperature and emission spectra of exoplanets like K2-141 b and TRAPPIST-1 c, Zieba aims to detect possible atmospheres, which could indicate the potential for hosting life. Despite not detecting any atmosphere around one of the observed exoplanets, Zieba asserts that there is always something to learn for future observations. Zieba also expressed excitement about the prospects of working with the JWST in the future and other upcoming projects such as the Extremely Large Telescope in Chile and the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which could provide further insights into the atmospheres of exoplanets.

In the vast cosmic ballet, where stars are born, live, and die, an intriguing chapter unfolds in the fading embers of white dwarfs, where water-bearing planets may hold the key to finding alien life. White dwarfs, remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel, emit a faint, steady light and offer a clear backdrop for studying potential life on surrounding exoplanets. Despite the tumultuous death throes of their parent stars, water-rich planets orbiting at a specific distance from white dwarfs might retain enough water to support life. The study's lead, astronomy professor Juliette Becker, suggests that if we find a planet orbiting a white dwarf, we could potentially determine its atmospheric composition with greater accuracy than ever before, potentially revealing signs of life. As telescopes become more powerful, the potential to answer one of humanity's most profound questions – "Are we alone in the universe?" – looms closer. The prospect of finding life on planets orbiting white dwarfs is exciting, and researchers are developing theoretical models to advance our understanding of these systems and identify promising targets for future observations.