Astrophysicists from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center suggested looking for extraterrestrial civilizations in the traces of pollution that they leave from their activities. This approach differs from methods of searching for primitive alien life based on the detection of methane and water, according to the center's website.
Scientists intend to search for highly organized life on the traces of industrial pollution in the form of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The new James Webb Space Telescope, which should replace the Hubble, will be able, according to the researchers, to track the content of CFCs in the atmospheres of exoplanets if the concentration of such compounds is ten times higher than on Earth.
Scientists have noted different strategies in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Thus, a highly organized civilization, according to American astrophysicists, can create conditions on its planet that lead to a similar terrestrial greenhouse effect. At the same time, intelligent life cannot greatly pollute its planet, and the detection of traces from its activities will be complicated by this fact.
Scientists have noted the special highlight of the planets next to white dwarfs. In their opinion, extraterrestrial life may also exist next to such stars, but its detection will require the use of more sophisticated devices than the James Webb Space Telescope.
