Exoplanetary Systems Are Diverse. Experts Argue Search for Life Should Be the Same

Black in (exo)planetary science

As part of Black Space Week 2025, six (exo)planetary scientists share information about their scientific interests, research projects and personal motivations for working in astronomy.

Exoplanetary systems are diverse. Experts argue search for life should be the same

Scientists are revolutionizing the search for extraterrestrial life by challenging our somewhat Earth-centric assumptions about where and how life might exist in the universe. A new review argues that we must embrace the remarkable diversity of exoplanets discovered over the past two decades and consider a much broader range of environments that could potentially host life.

Exoplanetary Systems are Diverse. Our Search for Life Should Be the Same

With over 5,000 exoplanets now identified, astronomers have found that our Solar System isn't the only model of planetary formation. There are super-Earths, sub-Neptunes, hot-Jupiters, and Earth-sized worlds orbiting around red dwarf stars. In a new paper, researchers propose how the search for life could adapt to these bizarre environments, expanding the definition of a habitable world. Life could exist without a surface, or using different kin…

The Detection-vs-Retrieval Challenge: Titan As An Exoplanet - Astrobiology

Cassini’s observations of Titan’s atmosphere are exemplary benchmarks for exoplanet atmospheric studies owing to (1) their precision and (2) our independent knowledge of Titan. Leveraging these observations, we perform retrievals (i.e., analyses) of Titan’s transmission spectrum to investigate the strengths/limitations of exoplanet atmospheric retrievals with a particular focus on the underlying assumptions regarding the molecular […] The post T…

New Habitability Model Helps Identify Which Alien Planets Might Be Able to Host Life

A NASA-developed model now enables scientists to estimate the likelihood of life on distant planets or moons using limited and uncertain remote-sensing data. By comparing habitat conditions with known...

Prophecies – Water: The Source of Life

© Shutterstock Shahzad Ahmed, London, UK In their quest to search for life beyond our planet, astronomers look for one simple thing: water. In fact, ‘follow the water’ has become […] The post Prophecies – Water: The Source of Life appeared first on The Review of Religions.