The article discusses the search for extraterrestrial life using chemical biosignatures, focusing on the use of telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze exoplanet atmospheres. It highlights the challenges in interpreting data and the need for robust criteria for identifying true biosignatures, using the example of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) detection on K2-18b.
The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), set to be operational by 2028, will significantly enhance our ability to study exoplanetary atmospheres. With a 39-meter primary mirror, it will provide images 16 times sharper than the Hubble Space Telescope. Simulations indicate that the ELT could detect signs of life on an Earth-like planet around Proxima Centauri in just 10 hours. It will also distinguish between different planetary atmospheres, reducing the risk of false positives or negatives in detecting life.
