Astrophysicists believe that alien life exists for years. However, it has been difficult to determine where or how. A team from Cambridge claims to have discovered a new group of planets that could be habitable. This will allow them to prove the existence of life within the next three years. Is ET possible? Is this search more about us than it is about them, as in the search for the holy grail? Jacco van Loon (astrophysicist, director of Keele Observatory, Staffordshire) offered his opinions.
Hi Jacco! Please explain your job as if I were five years old.
I am fascinated by the stars and the space between them. Space is not entirely empty.
It sounds very alarming. You are not the only one who thinks so.
It is highly likely. Although there are many planets and stars where life could start, we don't have any evidence. We call it the Fermi paradox.
That's what I heard from Hollywood. Enrico Fermi, a scientist from Italy, was discussing the possibility of alien life. He asked the fundamental question: Where are all the people?
We might not be able to detect primitive alien life (microorganisms), but we do have the technology. Advanced life forms such as us are bright and loud; we make artificial light. We have been able transmit and receive radio signals in space since the second war and still hear nothing.
The universe ghosted them.
It is not that we send many messages, but rather listen.
Perhaps they are also watching us. They might not like what they hear. War. Hunger. Mumford & Sons.
The theory is that they don't stick around and we don't know about other advanced civilisations. It is possible for them to become destructive and then disappear. Perhaps aliens are able to see us and decide they won't be around for long. They might be waiting to see if anyone else is out there before making themselves known.
When I feel accepted, I quietly wait to see if anyone else is going before I accept an invitation.
It is important to be cautious. From Earth exploration, we know that there are risks of aggressive migration or the introduction of diseases to new countries.
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Colonization is what you are referring to. Does that accurately describe what Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos are trying to do with commercial space flight plans?
It's not my opinion. We will eventually have to leave Earth behind. The climate crisis aside, the sun is going to eventually turn into a red giant that will engulf Earth. Perhaps entrepreneurs can save the planet by seeing it from space. Commercial space flight must be regulated to avoid repeating the mistakes made here.
Humans aren't known for their ability to learn from our mistakes.
Maybe space exploration can help us see the world from another perspective and solve our problems with objectivity. They could be solved scientifically if we looked at poverty and climate crisis.
You sound like my therapist. Perhaps space exploration is just one therapy session for humanity. It's likely past due.
It will happen sooner than expected, I hope. The clock is ticking.
