We know that some solar systems in the Universe have planets within them known as the “Goldilocks Zone”, just like Earth. How is it the same technology used to discover these planets is not able to detect if life, especially the intelligent type, also inhabits them?

Question

Scientists are able to observe these planets from vast distances. You would think with technological capability like this that we would also be able to detect if planets in these zones possess life on them. Trying to understand how or why this is the case.

In: Planetary Science

Answer 1

NASA has done several tests to find intelligent life on Sol-3, the planet we live on. Most of them have been unsuccessful, the ones that work have to do with detecting variable radio broadcasts. We can do that from Mars orbit, but not Jupiter orbit (though one Juno result could be read either way).

We have never been close enough to any planet not in the Sol system to detect intelligent life.

Life in general might be inferred from high free oxygen levels in the atmosphere, and we can do that at significant distance, but that’s just microbes.