While definitive evidence is still lacking, each new observation moves the scientists toward eventually answering one of humanity’s biggest questions. Alien life searching has never looked more promising, with the technology improving and there being thousands of worlds yet to explore.

If there were other life, not only tiny, but even microscopic, it would change science, philosophy and our concept of the world. It would demonstrate that life exists on planet Earth and raise new questions regarding evolution of life.

Data and know-how from space agencies and universities around the world is being shared to enhance discoveries. International cooperation allows scientists to pool their data, develop more sensitive detection techniques, and speed the hunt for robust signatures of alien life.

Although substantial progress has been made, the search for alien life is very challenging. Some of the gases associated with biology can be found naturally, so investigators have to be careful not to attribute a biological cause before they can be certain of such a claim.

A habitable zone is a region around a star in which temperatures could be just right for water to exist in a liquid state. Scientists are looking closely at planets found there, as they are the only planets in a star’s family system that might allow liquid water to exist. One of the most compelling clues to the ability of a planet to sustain life as we know it is still water.

AI is playing a crucial role in research. It can also rapidly process massive amounts of astronomical data, identifying unusual patterns that scientists may not notice; this greatly improves the efficiency of the search for possible biosignatures.

New-generation telescopes are able to study the light that passes through the far away planetary atmospheres. That will enable scientists to identify individual molecules and make an educated guess about the possibility of the conditions on a planet being favorable for simple life forms.

Read More: Scientists may be closer to discovering thousands of signs of alien life