A scientist from the University of Queens in Belfast told radio Sputnik whether there is extraterrestrial life and whether there is an opportunity to establish communication with other planets.
A group of scientists from Queen's University Belfast and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research took an unexpected look at the methods used to search for exoplanets.
Now scientists' main tool is transit photometry, which allows them to find exoplanets by measuring the decrease in brightness of a star as the planet passes in front of that star. The transition of the planet between the star and the Earth is called "transit".
Scientists asked the question: if earthlings can find exoplanets in this way, does this mean that possible inhabitants of other planets can also find the Earth?
During their research, scientists identified a so-called transit zone where the planets of the solar system could be seen from Earth. And this, according to scientists, creates the likelihood that these terrestrial planets can follow events on Earth.
Initially, scientists identified nine planets from which a good view of the Earth would open. However, these nine planets, as scientists already know, are not suitable for life. However, according to preliminary estimates, there are ten more planets that would be ideally located to see the Earth, and at the same time could be habitable.
In this study, scientists focused on four planets, which, according to their estimates, would be the most convenient points for tracking earthlings using photometry.
Lead author Robert Wells, a PhD student at Queens University in Belfast, commented on the study on Sputnik Radio.
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About where the idea for the research came from:
“The idea came from this: we are constantly using the transit method to study other planets outside the solar system. So we have always wondered: can someone do the same to us?"
On the likelihood of extraterrestrial life:
“This is just my opinion, we don't really know for sure. I think life must be somewhere. The universe is too big for life to be gone."
“Recent space expeditions have discovered thousands of planets that we now think can be habitable. In this case, the question arises: could life arise there too?"
“There are about ten exoplanets in the habitable zone - that is, those on which there may be liquid water. Most of them are small stars. The [scientific] community is debating whether life is possible on them."
About why the aliens have not contacted the Earth until now:
There are a number of reasons why aliens have not yet come into contact with earthlings, Wells said.
“We have to take into account quite a few factors. How common is life in the galaxy, intelligent life? And we need to assess the likelihood of whether they can find us. We can't find extraterrestrial life, can they? And would we understand at all if they contacted us?"
The scientist acknowledged that communication in the future will be a problem, although the use of the transit method could give rise to the exchange of signals between the Earth and aliens.
“I love the idea of the transit method. Let's say our planet passes in front of a known star. We could send a signal at this moment. And they probably would have watched and received the signal."