Comments
Semifreak t1_j8u10o4 wrote
Thank you for the heads up and attached explanation. I was wondering when we'll see exoplanet around sun-like stars.
FuturologyBot t1_j8sk7ht wrote
The following submission statement was provided by /u/lughnasadh:
Submission Statement
Most stars (73%) are Red Dwarfs, smaller and dimmer than our sun. That dimness makes it easier to resolve details of their planets, and it's why they are the first targets in the hunt for simple extraterrestrial life. This telescope would target nearby sun-like stars. There are thought to be about 400 of those.
How soon could this telescope launch? Perhaps the mid-2030s. It's interesting to wonder if evidence of simple extraterrestrial life will have been found by then. There will likely be much data on nearby red dwarf exoplanets by that time.
Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/113v7r2/nasa_will_fund_a_feasibility_study_of_a/j8seiyo/
[deleted] t1_j8slxq1 wrote
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[deleted] t1_j8sysrk wrote
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[deleted] t1_j8t5ntp wrote
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Some-Ad9778 t1_j8w6198 wrote
But dont worry, this has nothing to do with the current state of affairs on earth
Rookie_human t1_j8wgtsm wrote
Why do scientists keep looking for planets similar to earth to find extraterrestrial life? I think it is rather selfish of us as a species to expect life to only exist in earth like conditions. Perhaps life in another form is much more common then we are. I am all for science and hope this project is succesfull and finds interestings things. But i do hope humanity would broaden its mind on what the definition of life entails.
jhmadden t1_j8wshse wrote
We simply have to focus on what we know until we find other examples of life. Think of it like a puzzle, you start with the edges and work in but also keep your eyes out. These instruments can detect a wide range of light, if there is something that doesn’t make sense right away we will surly investigate it more. We can and will do both, it’s just not the primary mission. A telescope to only look for something completely foreign and unknown is unlikely to get funding.
lughnasadh OP t1_j8seiyo wrote
Submission Statement
Most stars (73%) are Red Dwarfs, smaller and dimmer than our sun. That dimness makes it easier to resolve details of their planets, and it's why they are the first targets in the hunt for simple extraterrestrial life. This telescope would target nearby sun-like stars. There are thought to be about 400 of those.
How soon could this telescope launch? Perhaps the mid-2030s. It's interesting to wonder if evidence of simple extraterrestrial life will have been found by then. There will likely be much data on nearby red dwarf exoplanets by that time.