Subscribe now

Leader and Space

Our hunt for alien life needs solid guidelines for clear-cut success

A proposed framework to assess and communicate the credibility of detections of extraterrestrial life is vital to deliver results we can all believe in

22 November 2023

The UFO shines on a male standing on the mountain; Shutterstock ID 1476587882; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Shutterstock/WeAre

BARELY a month goes by these days without the detection of a tantalising “sign of life” in an alien atmosphere. With the James Webb Space Telescope’s unmatched ability to probe the chemistry of distant worlds – and so many promising exoplanets to set our sights on – today’s astronomers are increasingly confident that their generation will be the one to discover life beyond Earth.

That is a thrilling possibility, no doubt. But with it comes great responsibility. Given the magnitude of the question of whether life exists elsewhere in the universe, and the public interest that goes with it, we must be…

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account