Experts are optimistic of detecting life signs on a faraway world within our lifetimes - possibly in the next few years.
Alien life in Universe: Scientists say finding it is 'only a matter of time'::Experts are optimistic of detecting life signs on a faraway world within our lifetimes - possibly in the next few years.
This might be really obvious, but I've never heard anyone mention it specifically - it's well known that light takes time to reach us, so when we look at far away objects, we are also looking back in time - surely this has a huge impact on detecting life?
If we were able to see what planets that could support life look like as they are currently, then perhaps we would see life?
Yeah but to see actual signs of life on those planets we'd need to either be able to see clear images of the surface, or have some way (other than the light method we use ATM) to detect microscopic lifeforms, right?
I'm just asking to try understand better, the only mention I've heard of life on other planets have been from chemicals produced by life detected in the light that passes through the planets' atmosphere, but I wouldn't say that is definitive proof