NASA is getting serious about finding life beyond our planet. In a new initiative called The Nexus for Exoplanet System Science, or NExSS, NASA plans to study the different elements of exoplanets (planets that orbit a star other than our sun) as well as their host stars and neighboring planets to better determine if they’re habitable. NExSS will also search for biosignatures, or signs of life, on these planets.
There are more than 1,000 confirmed exoplanets spotted through NASA’s Kepler telescope. There are also thousands of other planets that scientists suspect could be exoplanets.
NASA is using a “system science” approach to finding signs of life on other planets. Scientists will look at how a planet’s atmosphere, geology, water and host star has an effect on biology. As a result, scientists could better classify these planets and create more specialized technology to detect biosignatures.
Scientists specializing in different fields are participating this initiative. The NExSS team includes earth scientists, planetary scientists, heliophysicists (scientists who study the physics of the sun), and astrophysicists. Teams from 10 universities and two research institutes selected by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate will contribute to the initiative.
“This interdisciplinary endeavor connects top research teams and provides a synthesized approach in the search for planets with the greatest potential for signs of life. The hunt for exoplanets is not only a priority for astronomers, it’s of keen interest to planetary and climate scientists as well,” states Jim Green, the director of planetary science at NASA.
This certainly is of keen interest to non-scientists as well as I’m sure plenty of people wonder if we’re not alone. While this initiative does aim to better understand other planets, perhaps it will additionally help us get a better understanding of our own.
Source: NASA
