How To Announce the Discovery of Extraterrestrial Life (and Be Taken Seriously)
Proposed new guidelines could be helpful, or they could be a form of scientific censorship.
The Science of Aliens, Part 6: Would They Be Religious?
Belief in a higher power is widespread on Earth, but what about the rest of the galaxy?
Planetary Protection Rules for Mars Could be Relaxed
But spacecraft searching for life will still have to be sterilized.
Highlights from the German Astrobiological Society Meeting
The first major face-to-face get-together in almost two years.
On Alien Worlds, Some of the Plants Might Want to Eat You (If You’re a Bug)
Especially in environments where there’s not much else to eat.
The Science of Aliens, Part 5: How Would They Communicate?
Contact with intelligent aliens would happen on their terms, not ours.
Hycean Worlds, a “New” Type of Ocean Planet
Only a tiny fraction of them may be habitable, though.
The Astrobiological Potential of Rogue Planets
Not only could they hold subsurface life, they may spread it throughout the galaxy.
Perspectives on UAP From Across the Atlantic
Takeaways from a German workshop on mysterious sightings in the sky.
Ocean Worlds in the Trappist-1 System
A new evaluation of a nearby star system’s potentially habitable water worlds.
The Science of Aliens, Part 4: What Color Would Their Blood Be?
Not every animal bleeds red, even on Earth.
Methane Detected at Enceladus May Be of Biological Origin
Here we go again: biology or unknown abiotic process?
Aliens May Already Have Discovered Us
Our planet’s shadow against the Sun could have been seen from thousands of nearby solar systems.
Life May Have Been More Likely to Originate on Mars Than on Earth
The environmental setting makes all the difference.
The Science of Aliens, Part 3: Have They Overcome Their Savage Past, or Might They Want to Eat Us?
Reviewing our own species’ behavior suggests a cautious approach to contact with extraterrestrials.
Living Creatures Need Water. But Could They Make Do With Sulfuric Acid?
New results cast doubt on the presence of life in the Venusian atmosphere.
Martian Life May Be Hiding in Islands of Habitability
Zeroing in on the best environmental niches to explore during the next mission to Mars.
The Science of Aliens, Part 2: What Kind of Genetic Code Would Extraterrestrials Have?
Alien life would likely have different biochemistry, which may change the way it reproduces.
Could We Really All Be Martians?
Considering the likelihood of an exchange of microbes between Earth and Mars.
All Eyes on Alpha Centauri
Takeaways from this week’s Breakthrough Discuss meeting.