Cosmos & Space
Why Finding Alien Life Requires Telescopes on Earth and in Space
Detecting alien life hinges on analyzing exoplanet atmospheres using spectroscopy, a task requiring a complementary approach from both space-based telescopes like JWST and powerful ground-based ELTs. While JWST excels at identifying molecules like CO2 and water, ELTs are crucial for the high-resolution search for oxygen, a key biosignature.
Marcus Cole·October 3, 2026