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Proposed Indicator of Life On Alien Worlds May Be Bogus

Posted by Unknown on from the exomoons-ruin-everything dept.

sciencehabit (1205606) writes with bad news for anyone hoping to use the spectral signatures of exoplanets to determine if their atmospheres have life-enabling compositions. "Call it the cosmic version of fool's gold. What was once considered a sure-fire sign of life on distant planets may not be so sure-fire after all, a new study suggests. The signal—a strong chemical imbalance in the planet's atmosphere that could only be generated by thriving ecosystems—could instead be the combined light from a lifeless exoplanet and its equally barren moon."

1 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. Nah by Camael · · Score: 1, Troll

    I truly hope not.

    We probably should clean up our own house and get our act together before even considering exporting our poison to other unsuspecting corners of the universe.