Are we really alone in this Universe?

ET Online

Nov 5, 2021

Search on priority

A group of US astronomers puts the search for extraterrestrial life at the top of their to-do list for the next 10 years.

Image Source: nyt

Ultimate goal

The ultimate aim is to capture pictures of any Earth-like worlds that might be out there.

Image Source: ap

Any answer is profound

Life on Earth may be the result of a common process, or it may require such an unusual set of circumstances that we are the only living beings within our part of the galaxy, or even in the universe. Either answer is profound: Report

Image Source: nyt

Are we alone?

“The coming decades will set humanity down a path to determine whether we are alone," said the report.

Image Source: ap

What do we not know?

Other areas ranked high in the survey are: exploring the origins and evolution of black holes, neutron stars, galaxies and the entire universe.

Image Source: ap

James Webb Space Telescope

Its launch is said to be a momentous occasion that will shape the course of astronomy and astrophysics in the coming decades.

Image Source: ap

Small missions

The report emphasised on the need for launching one spacecraft per decade with a cost cap of $1.5 billion which can balance science with timeliness.

Image Source: ap

Uncertain landscape

The pandemic still makes the final economic and social impacts on humankind unknown.

Image Source: ap

Astronomy ranks

The report suggested that NASA consider a science team’s diversity before giving out money for projects.

Image Source: ap

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