Kaltenegger, director of the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University, emphasized JWST’s ability to detect biological signatures such as methane gas produced by organisms. This gives hope for the inevitable discovery of life beyond Earth.

Recently, the scientist published the book “Alien Earths: The Hunt for Planets in Space”, in which he draws attention to the current era of research made possible by advanced technologies.

We may need to discover 100 or even 1000 systems before we find life.
– said the scientist.

The system particularly caught my attention. Trappist-1With four potentially habitable planets, Kaltenegger believes these worlds hold promise for detecting biological signatures.

According to their estimates, monitoring such systems in the next five to ten years could have significant consequences.

Comparison of the Trappist-1 system and the Solar System / Photo by NASA

Kaltenegger, meanwhile, remains diplomatic about exaggerated claims of extraterrestrial encounters and warns against unfounded speculation. He is skeptical of sensational claims, such as those of congressional whistleblower David Grush, and prefers science-based approaches to the search for extraterrestrial life.