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No_Assumption_6028 t1_j3l2rhw wrote

Reply to comment by Ardashasaur in Milkdromeda. by Acuate187

Wouldn't JWST be able to detect breathable air in that planets atmosphere?

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Ardashasaur t1_j3uezrb wrote

I don't think breathable air counts as signs of industry. Although looks like JWST has found a planet with carbon dioxide which is interesting.

So you are right I guess that it could possibly detect industrial emissions.

Interestingly enough the planet with CO2 found is 700 light years away which could hint at industrial life there (but still going to be pretty hard to be certain), but if they were looking at us then they would only see Earth's atmosphere 700 years ago which would have a lot less CO2 then now.

But anyway in terms of electrical emissions, radio waves or seeing constructions on surface (or even orbital) I think it's pretty hard to get anything from the nearest solar system to ours, you can't just take a quick photo so everything is going to be super blurry

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No_Assumption_6028 t1_j3ukedv wrote

You're right, I meant to say breathable air and CO2/signs of an industrial society. I wonder how we would confirm an advanced civilization if we 100% detected these things.

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Ardashasaur t1_j3uu2wu wrote

I don't think it could be confirmed by atmosphere alone, no telling how an atmosphere is composed on an alien planet. Detecting something like CFCs would be a really strong sign but still not 100% if there is some wacky geological process or unknown reactions from alien elements.

Edit: that being said focusing on a planet with CFCs in atmosphere would still be really cool anyway

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