Evolution of Astrobiology and Search for Extraterrestrial Life

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The chapter explores the evolution of astrobiology through three major revolutions - exoplanet discovery, solar system exploration, and Earth's history. It discusses the transition in SETI from classic radio signals to modern techno signatures and atmospheric analysis, highlighting the challenges in identifying signs of intelligent life. The advancements in astrobiology from exoplanet discoveries, new instruments like the James Webb telescope, and the role of AI and machine learning in processing data are also examined.

Astrobiology has seen a series of revolutions over the past three decades that have completely reinvigorated the field. Scientists who were curious about life and biological organisms across the universe once had to handle the so-called giggle factor: the idea that they were kooky crazies searching for UFOs and little green men. With a dramatic improvement to the quality of our instruments and a torrent of new and better data, that giggle factor is now no laughing matter: we increasingly have the means to make progress here like never before.

My guest today is Adam Frank, the author of The Little Book of Aliens and a professor of astrophysics who is focused on improving our ability to identify biosignatures and technosignatures of life throughout the cosmos. He’s just one contributor to a growing community of scientists reinventing our approach to the search for life, a vitality that is leading to the potential first dedicated satellite focused on the search, the Habitable Worlds Observatory.

Alongside host Danny Crichton and Lux’s scientist in residence Sam Arbesman, we talk about the trilogy of revolutions that have brought new vigor to astrobiology, how artificial intelligence is upending the search for life, and what we can also learn about Earth and our climate in searching space for the answers of life.