Astronomers are suggesting a new way to search for intelligent life on other planets—look for city lights when the planet faces away from its sun. They admit it’s a stretch, but an inexpensive one at that. Instead of listening for radio signals from distant worlds, powerful telescopes would zoom in on the surface of alien worlds and look for bright spots, much like those seen by astronauts orbiting a nighttime earth.
The assumption is that intelligent aliens would use illumination systems much like we do to light up their cities at night. Astronomers are refining ways to distinguish artificial light from the glare produced by a planet's parent star. One technique would involve monitoring the change in light from an exoplanet as it revolves around its star. More artificial light would be visible when a planet enters its dark phase. A planet with city lighting would be measurably different in appearance from a non-inhabited planet.
Advanced telescopes would have to be developed to spot this difference. Astronomers have suggested putting this technique to the test by observing celestial objects in the outer reaches of our solar system—say, the Kuiper Belt, a region occupied by Pluto and Eris. They postulate that today's most powerful telescopes might be able to notice a New York-sized city at night.
Astronomers doubt whether they’ll find alien cities on the edge of our solar system, but stranger things have been discovered by doubting scientists through the ages.
For an added perspective, check out this video:
If you have any thoughts on astronomy careers or finding intelligent life on other worlds, feel free to share them in the comments section.
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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