Get the latest Science News and Discoveries

If Earth Was an Exoplanet, JWST Would Know There's an Intelligent Civilization Here


JWST is the most powerful instrument astronomers have to study the atmospheres of exoplanets, looking for trace gases that might indicate life on another world. What if Earth was an exoplanet orbiting a nearby star? What could JWST learn about our planet? In a new study, astronomers took observations of Earth from various spacecraft and then simulated what JWST would see if it got our home planet in the crosshairs. The telescope could detect various chemicals, from water vapor to methane, but it could also sense the presence of chlorofluorocarbons resulting from our industrial infrastructure.

None

Get the Android app

Or read this on Universe Today

Read more on:

Photo of JWST

JWST

Photo of Exoplanet

Exoplanet

Photo of Earth

Earth

Related news:

News photo

The Closest Supernova Seen in the Modern Era, Examined by JWST

News photo

JWST Gazes into the Dark Molecular Clouds at the Heart of the Milky Way

News photo

Humanity Will Out-Communicate all Life on Earth Within 90 Years