Signatures of alien technology could be how humanity first finds extraterrestrial life

The technology of an advanced alien civilization is likely to produce many signs that could be detected across the vastness of space. Two astronomers explain the search for technosignatures.

Jason Wright, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Penn State • conversation
Oct. 21, 2022 • ~9 min

Super-Earths are bigger, more common and more habitable than Earth itself – and astronomers are discovering more of the billions they think are out there

Newly discovered super-Earths add to the list of planets around other stars that offer the best chance of finding life. An astronomer explains what makes these super-Earths such excellent candidates.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Sept. 19, 2022 • ~8 min

To search for alien life, astronomers will look for clues in the atmospheres of distant planets – and the James Webb Space Telescope just proved it's possible to do so

Life on Earth has dramatically changed the chemistry of the planet. Astronomers will measure light that bounces off distant planets to look for similar clues that they host life.

Daniel Apai, Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona • conversation
July 14, 2022 • ~10 min

What the Voyager space probes can teach humanity about immortality and legacy as they sail through space for trillions of years

A professor of religion and science explains different views on immortality, from the religious perspective of President Jimmy Carter to the scientific, secular take of Carl Sagan.

James Edward Huchingson, Professor Emeritus and Lecturer in Religion and Science, Florida International University • conversation
May 25, 2022 • ~8 min

A 'doorway' on Mars? How we see things in space that aren't there

We should not be surprised that some of the innumerable rocks on Mars have weird shapes, because many have been sand-blasted by wind erosion for billions of years.

David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences, The Open University • conversation
May 25, 2022 • ~8 min

Blasting out Earth’s location with the hope of reaching aliens is a controversial idea – two teams of scientists are doing it anyway

This year, two groups of astronomers plan to send messages containing information about humans and the location of Earth toward parts of space they think may be home to intelligent life.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
April 29, 2022 • ~8 min

Blasting Earth’s location out to potential aliens is a controversial idea – two teams of scientists are doing it anyway

This year, two groups of astronomers plan to send messages containing information about humans and the location of Earth toward parts of space they think may be home to intelligent life.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
April 29, 2022 • ~8 min

Astronomy's 10-year wish list: Big money, bigger telescopes and the biggest questions in science

The astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey for the 2020s lays out plans to search for life on distant planets, understand the formation of galaxies and solve deep mysteries of physics.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
March 28, 2022 • ~9 min

Perseverance’s first major successes on Mars – an update from mission scientists

Perseverance and its helicopter sidekick, Ingenuity, have been on Mars for nearly nine months. The duo have taken rock samples, performed first flights and taken images of the delta in Jezero Crater.

Briony Horgan, Associate Professor of Planetary Science, Purdue University • conversation
Oct. 7, 2021 • ~9 min

Are there any planets outside of our solar system?

Billions of galaxies are in the universe, with billions of stars in every galaxy. Could billions of planets be out there too?

Jean-Luc Margot, Professor of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
July 19, 2021 • ~7 min

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