Future of Alien Search — Reading Comprehension

Astrobiology is the scientific field that explores one of the biggest questions in science: Is life unique to Earth, or is it common in the universe? For decades, scientists have searched for signs of life beyond our planet using telescopes and robotic explorers. The next generation of missions and technologies is now being developed to answer this question more directly. These efforts are important because discovering life elsewhere would transform our understanding of biology, the conditions needed for life, and humanity’s place in the cosmos.

Advanced Tools for Detecting Signs of Life

To find evidence of life, scientists use biosignatures, which are measurable signs that may indicate the presence of living organisms. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in 2021, is currently our most powerful tool for studying exoplanets—planets orbiting other stars. JWST can analyze the atmospheres of these distant worlds by measuring the light that passes through them. Scientists search for certain gases, like oxygen or methane, that could be produced by life. For example, if JWST detects a high percentage of oxygen (about 21% in Earth’s atmosphere), it could be a strong clue. Missions like the Europa Clipper, launched October 14,2024  will conduct a detailed study of Jupiter's moon Europa.  the Dragonfly mission (planned for 2027) will send a drone to explore the chemistry on Saturn’s moon Titan.

Multiple Approaches and Missions

Other projects combine different methods to increase our chances of success. The Mars Sample Return will bring Martian rocks to Earth, allowing scientists to search for possible fossilized life using advanced laboratory equipment. The proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory would be the first space telescope designed specifically to image Earth-like exoplanets and examine their atmospheres for signs of habitability. Ground-based projects like the Square Kilometre Array will use radio waves to search for possible alien signals—a field called SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). The Breakthrough Listen program is investing $100 million to scan the skies for unusual radio or laser signals and even search for Dyson spheres, which are hypothetical megastructures built by advanced civilizations to capture energy from their stars.

Complex Challenges and the Road Ahead

The search for life is a complex process that requires careful planning and multiple lines of evidence. Upcoming missions may target Venus’s atmosphere, Enceladus’s water plumes, or Titan’s lakes. Each environment presents unique challenges—extreme temperatures, thick atmospheres, or dangerous radiation. Scientists must develop new technologies and engineering solutions to send instruments to these distant and harsh worlds. They also have to avoid contamination, so any signs of life found are truly extraterrestrial. Over the next few decades, as data from these missions is analyzed, we may finally know whether life is rare or common in the universe. This would have profound implications for science, technology, and our understanding of our place in the cosmos.

Interesting Fact: The James Webb Space Telescope can detect the chemical fingerprints of molecules in exoplanet atmospheres from over a million kilometers away!

What is the main goal of astrobiology?

Which instrument is currently the most powerful for analyzing exoplanet atmospheres?

What does the Europa Clipper mission aim to study?

What is a biosignature, as described in the passage?

What does SETI stand for in the context of the passage?

According to the passage, why must scientists avoid contamination when exploring other worlds?

If the James Webb Space Telescope detects 21% oxygen in an exoplanet's atmosphere, what might this suggest?

True or False: The Mars Sample Return will bring rocks from Mars back to Earth for analysis.

True or False: Breakthrough Listen is a program that looks for laser and radio signals from space.

Which of the following is a proposed method for detecting advanced civilizations?