NASA has stepped up its search for extraterrestrial life. It brought together scientists from different fields to create “an unprecedented initiative dedicated for the search for the search for the search for the life.” 2013, A HuffPost/YouGov survey found that 50% believed that life exists on other planets. 33% stated that they weren’t sure while 17% replied that it is. The belief rate has increased over the years, especially with the discovery of water on Mars and elsewhere in the Universe. Jim Green is NASA’s Director for Planetary Science. He said that “This inter-disciplinary endeavor connects top researchers and provides an integrated approach in search for planets where there are the highest potential signs of life.” Alien existence could take many forms. Exoplanet hunting is more than a top priority for astronomers. It’s also of great interest to climate and planetary scientists. The field of exoplanets, which are planets that orbit stars outside of our solar system, is relatively new. 1995. was the first to orbit a star similar to our Sun. The Kepler space telescope launched by NASA in March 2009, and has already discovered over one ,000 planets. There are many more candidates that have yet to be confirmed. Scientists are working to find signs of life on these exoplanets, and confirm their habitability. Understanding how biology interacts and the influence of the star on the planet’s interior, atmosphere, and geology is key to understanding this endeavor. NASA claims that this system science approach will allow researchers to better understand exoplanet life. NexSS can tap into each science community supported by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. – Earth Scientists: Who develop systems science approaches to the study of planet Earth. – Planetary scientists: Who apply systems science to many worlds in our solar system. The Sun’s effects on our Solar System will be studied by Heliophysicists, who add an additional layer of systems science. Astrophysicists are data scientists who study exoplanets as well as their host stars. Since the dawn of time, humans have been asking “Are you alone in this universe?” (Image: NASA). NASA claims NexSS will allow these distinguished research communities to collaborate in unprecedented ways. They will share their research results, perspectives and approaches, in pursuit of one question that humans have asked for centuries: “Are they alone in the universe?” Paul Hertz is the Director of NASA Headquarters’ Astrophysics Division. He stated that the NexSS team will use a system science approach to exoplanet data and will also provide the foundation to interpret exoplanet observations from future missions like JWST, TESS, and JWST. The JWST is planned for an 2018 launch. Wide-field Infrared Survey Telescope will be launched at 2020. NASA states that NExSS will include Natalie Batalha, NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field (California), Dawn Gelino, NASA Exoplanet Science Institute in Pasadena, and Anthony del Genio, NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Greenbelt, Maryland. Team members of 10 two research institutes and universities will be part of the NExSS project. The teams were chosen from proposals from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. James Graham, from Stanford near Palo Alto (California), leads them. Exoplanets unveiled is the name of this group. It will focus on “What properties of exoplanetary system, especially as it relates to their formation and evolution and potential to harbour life?” Daniel Apai will lead the Earths in Other Solar Systems team at the University of Arizona. The Milky Way is likely to be alive. In March’s Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, two Danish and Australian scientists stated that the Milky Way ought to be alive. There are billions upon billions of stars in our galaxy. Each star has one to three Habitable Zone planets. Informally, known as the Goldilocks Zone or the Habitable Zone (Circumstellar Habitable Zone), the Habitable Zone is the area around stars that exoplanets may have enough atmospheric pressure and temperatures to sustain life. Is it appropriate to advertise space existence? Stephen Hawking, an eminent theoretical physicist and cosmologist, wonders if we should attempt to contact aliens who might be smarter and more technologically sophisticated than us. Professor Hawking brought up the story of Christopher Columbus’ visit to their homeland. He said, “It wasn’t very successful for the Native Americans.” BBC Video – Are we the only ones in this Universe?
NASA steps up search for alien life beyond our solar system
