EPFL tries to calculate the probability of life elsewhere in our galaxy
The research could be helpful in analysing results sent back by satellites like CHEOPS, pictured.
Keystone / Atg Medialab/ European Space Agengy
Researchers have developed a statistical modelling tool to help astronomers determine the likelihood of life as we know it popping up on other planets.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/dos
What are the odds? After the discovery of the first exoplanet 25 years ago, and since then thousands more, the question has become a serious one.
One method to probe it is to examine the light scattered off a planet’s atmosphere in search of “biosignatures” – gases like oxygen, methane or ozone that could indicate the presence of living organisms, writesExternal link the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology EPFL.
And though it’s not the only indicator for guiding the search – other factors include the presence of water, or the distance from a star – the hunt for biosignatures is “probably going to become one of the most important” methods in the coming years, EPFL says.
Researchers the Lausanne-based universitiy, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Rome, have thus tried to anticipate such efforts by developing a statistical model to analyse the results, it was announced this week.
“Intuitively it makes sense that if we find life on one other planet, there are probably many others in the galaxy with some type of living organism. But how many?” said one of the Rome-based researchers, professor of astronomy and astrophysics Amedeo Balbi.
“Our model turns that intuitive assumption into a statistical calculation and lets us determine exactly what the numbers mean in terms of quantity and frequency,” he said.
The model is built around various factors like the number of stars and rock-based planets in the galaxy and offers its calculation of probability according to how many biosignatures are found: one, several, or none at all.
The results are optimistic: if just one biosignature is found, it’s 95% probable that there are over 100,000 inhabited planets in our galaxy, the scientists estimate. And even if none at all are found, this still doesn’t rule out the possibility of life being found in the Milky Way.
The researchers hope the model will be useful when it comes to current projects that incorporate the search for biosignatures, including the recently launched Swiss CHEOPS satellite.
Switzerland’s drug approval process lags behind Europe
This content was published on
According to a recent study, medicines are approved on average 249 days later in Switzerland than by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Non-believers significantly underrepresented in Swiss parliament
This content was published on
While non-believers make up the largest group in the Swiss population at around 34%, they rank only third in Parliament with just 23%.
Swiss NGO offices in Ukraine hit by Russian strike
This content was published on
On Wednesday morning, the offices of the Swiss Foundation for Demining (FSD) were struck by a Russian missile in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine.
This content was published on
A group of climate protesters blocked the road to Zurich Airport on Wednesday morning. The police quickly cleared the demonstration.
Surge in PhDs in Switzerland driven by international students
This content was published on
The number of PhD students in French-speaking Switzerland has doubled over the past 30 years, largely due to the influx of international students.
Switzerland to host US-mediated peace talks on Sudan
This content was published on
The United States announced that Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces are set to hold peace talks in Switzerland in mid-August.
Stress research: voting campaigns can trigger stress among minorities
This content was published on
Researchers at the University of Zurich showed in a study that they released more stress hormones during the referendum campaign.
Swiss justice minister advocates for greater sovereignty through bilateral agreements
This content was published on
In a networked world, sovereignty can be enhanced by regulating relations with important partners, Jans wrote in a NZZ commentary on Tuesday.
No heat records in sight (yet) despite the ‘dog days’
This content was published on
The dog days—traditionally the hottest days of the year—began on Tuesday. However, the weather service Meteonews predicts that Switzerland is unlikely to see new temperature records in the near future.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss space telescope declared fit to observe distant planets
This content was published on
The telescope is travelling on board the satellite CHEOPSExternal link (CHaracterizing ExOPlanets Satellite) as part of a joint mission with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Switzerland, led by the University of Bern, in collaboration with the University of Geneva. The testing phase was carried out without a hitch, despite team members being forced to work…
Why Geneva remains at the centre of exoplanet research
This content was published on
Home-grown astronomers are meeting their international counterparts and highlighting their contributions to the field, not least the CHEOPS telescope.
Swiss-developed exoplanet telescope launched into space
This content was published on
A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying the CHEOPS (Characterising ExOPlanets Satellite) telescope blasted off from Kourou, French Guiana.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.