Are we Alone in the Universe:The Search for Alien Life
The Universe came into exist from nothing. We all know that science tells that Universe came from big bang and it expands infinitely. With advance science and modern technology we know the age of the universe is roughly 13.8 billion years.
Presently, we only know that only planet Earth which is our home, has life. We are trying to find other life forms some where other than Earth.
In our Milky Way Galaxy, there could be anywhere from 10 to 50 billion planets where life could exist, according to Bill Diamond, the head of a group called Seti Institute. Seti stands for “Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.” Diamond says finding life beyond Earth is like finding a needle in a haystack because it’s rare and hard to spot. As we know in our Milky Way Galaxy there are more than 100 billions of planets and only planet Earth has life.
The Search for Alien Life
From earlier days we tried to find new life outside the Earth , we sent probes , satellites but we didn’t get any success , but now, new technology is making the search easier. Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping scientists find signs of alien life by handling lots of data and spotting unusual things. For example, Seti Institute is teaming up with a place called the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in New Mexico. They’re using AI at a place called the Very Large Array, which has 28 big antennas. AI helps process tons of data collected by these antennas. By help of these antennas we can send signals and also receive signals.
According to Mr. Diamond , AI is super important for their work. It helps them look for different kinds of radio signals from aliens, not just the ones humans might use. As this type of technology is very advance and upgraded. Another project called Breakthrough Listen, which has a lot of money behind it, is searching through lots of stars and galaxies using radio and light to find signs of alien technology. Even a slightest signal it can catch.
A student named Peter Ma, part of Breakthrough Listen, made an AI that can tell if a signal is from aliens or just interference. This AI has already found some potential alien signals but more research is going on these signals. AI isn’t just helping find big alien signals; it’s also used for smaller things closer to home. For example, NASA’s Perseverance rover is on Mars collecting samples. Scientists think they’ve found organic compounds, which could be signs of past life. Well we are in the right direction.
But figuring out if these compounds are from life or not is tricky because these types of signal are new to us and also it is tricky to detect. That’s where AI comes in. Scientists at the Carnegie Institution for Science are using AI to study rocks for signs of life. Their AI can tell the difference between living and non-living material with almost 90% accuracy. This AI could be used on other planets too, like Saturn’s moon Enceladus or Mars. While it’s still early and more research is needed, AI is making it more likely than ever to find alien life, if it’s out there. Well , universe is a big place at it is continuously expanding , there are many mysteries in the universe , but we will find the answers with time.