Title: The Elusive Search for Alien Life: Earth-Size Exoplanets May Be Rarer Than We Thought
The search for extraterrestrial life just got a little more complicated, according to recent findings from NASA’s exoplanet-hunting Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The results suggest that Earth-size planets may not be as common as scientists had previously believed, a revelation that could significantly impact the ongoing quest to locate alien life.
NASA’s TESS satellite, launched in 2018, has the primary mission of discovering exoplanets — planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. The satellite investigates these celestial bodies by observing the dimming of starlight as planets pass in front of their host stars, a phenomenon known as a transit. Using this method, TESS has been instrumental in finding numerous exoplanets across the cosmos.
However, the recent analysis indicates that, of the 200 worlds investigated by TESS, many could be larger than initially projected. This means that the number of Earth-size planets — those most likely to harbor life as we know it — may be less prevalent than previously believed.
The search for alien life has long hinged on the assumption that Earth-size planets are the most likely to be habitable, largely due to our understanding of life’s requirements here on our home planet. These planets, scientists postulate, would likely have conditions and atmospheres similar to Earth, thus increasing the chances of them sustaining life.
The current findings, however, compel us to reassess this perspective. If Earth-size planets are indeed less common, it could potentially reduce the number of planets where life might develop, at least as we understand it.
Yet, it is important to note that this adjustment does not mean the search for extraterrestrial life is a lost cause. Rather, it simply adjusts our understanding of where life could potentially exist. It may also push scientists to expand their criteria for what an ‘alien habitat’ might look like.
The universe is an expansive and complex place, filled with a myriad of celestial bodies and phenomena. While the news about the scarcity of Earth-size planets may seem like a setback, it simultaneously opens up new avenues for exploration and discovery.
Moreover, the TESS satellite remains an invaluable tool in our extraterrestrial investigations. Despite the recent analysis suggesting fewer Earth-sized planets, TESS continues its mission of scanning the cosmos, and its ongoing work will undoubtedly yield more intriguing findings about our universe.
In the grand scheme, this study is a reminder of the fluid nature of scientific discovery. As we continue our exploration of the cosmos, we will undoubtedly encounter unexpected twists and turns — and each one brings us a step closer to understanding our universe and our place within it.
Read more from the original source here: [Bad news for alien life? Earth-size planets may be less common than we thought](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/search-for-life/bad-news-for-alien-life-earth-size-planets-may-be-less-common-than-we-thought).