Researchers have just proposed a new method for detecting extraterrestrial life. It does not rely on oxygen or methane, but on a little-known gas emitted by microbes. Thanks to a telescope already in orbit, discovery may not be long in coming.
Finding a life form beyond Earth has never been so close. As telescopes like the James Webb telescope scan the universe, scientists are refocusing their research. Rather than looking for planets similar to our own, they are now interested in other worlds that are much more exotic, but perhaps just as favorable to life.
It is in this context that researchers from the University of California at Riverside proposes a new lead: the Hycean planets, worlds covered in oceans under a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. On these planets, microbes could produce a particular gas called halogenethane (or methyl halide), detectable from a distance thanks to its very strong infrared signal. This is already present on Earth, emitted in small quantities by bacteria, algae or certain plants. In these worlds, these compounds could accumulate in larger quantities and become detectable from our homes.
The gas produced by microbes could be detected in 13 hours with the James Webb Space Telescope
The dense, hydrogen-laden atmosphere of the Hycean planets would facilitate the accumulation of these biological gases. Even at At a low concentration, their infrared signature would be visible from space. The James Webb Space Telescope, capable of observing precisely in this spectrum, could detect this imprint in just 13 hours of exposure. This is much less than what is needed to detect other gases such as methane or oxygen. Since halogenethanes are compounds of exclusively biological origin on Earth, their presence in the atmosphere of an exoplanet would be a strong indicator of activity microbial.
The presence of these gases on several planets would be a major breakthrough. It would suggest that microbial life could be common in the universe, even in conditions very different from those on Earth. Scientists plan to continue their research on other gases from extreme environments, to expand the avenues. In the meantime, the proposed method offers a realistic and inexpensive solution to finally spot signs of extraterrestrial life.
Source: University of California
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