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One of Britain’s most prominent space scientists believes humanity may finally get an answer to one of its oldest questions within the next few decades. Maggie Aderin-Pocock says she is “absolutely convinced” that life exists beyond Earth and predicts that scientists will confirm its existence by around 2075. Speaking ahead of her Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, she said the sheer size of the universe makes it unlikely that Earth is the only place where life has emerged.
Alien life and the numbers game
At the heart of Aderin-Pocock’s argument is what scientists often call a numbers game. The universe contains hundreds of billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars. Many of those stars are now known to have planets orbiting them. Given those staggering figures, she argues, it would be extraordinary if life had developed only once. Earth may be the only example we know so far, but statistically, she believes it is far more likely that life has appeared elsewhere too.Until recently, the search for alien life was largely theoretical. That is now changing. Advances in space science mean astronomers can study distant planets in unprecedented detail. Powerful tools such as the James Webb Space Telescope can analyse the atmospheres of planets orbiting far-off stars, looking for gases that may be linked to biological processes. This has shifted the question from “could life exist elsewhere?” to “how soon will we find evidence of it?”
Promising hints from distant planets
One of the most talked-about examples is K2-18b, a planet where scientists have detected chemical compounds in the atmosphere that may be associated with life. While these findings stop short of proof, Aderin-Pocock describes them as “tantalising glimpses” that show how close researchers may be to a breakthrough. She stresses that confirmation will require repeated observations and multiple lines of evidence.
What alien life is likely to look like
Despite decades of science fiction, Aderin-Pocock says the first alien life humans discover is unlikely to be intelligent or technologically advanced. The most realistic outcome, she explains, is microscopic life, similar to bacteria or algae. Such organisms are far easier to develop and sustain than complex beings. Even so, she does not rule out the possibility that more advanced life could exist somewhere in the universe.
Why scientists must proceed carefully
If evidence of alien life is found, Aderin-Pocock warns that scientists will need to be extremely cautious. Any samples or signals must be handled in ways that prevent contamination, both to protect Earth and to ensure the science remains reliable. Researchers are already developing strict procedures to safely study material returned from places such as Mars.
A bigger picture for humanity
Beyond the science, Aderin-Pocock believes the search for alien life has wider meaning. Seeing Earth from space, she says, removes borders and reminds people that the planet is a shared home. Whether or not alien life is confirmed by 2075, she argues that space exploration can help shift perspectives and encourage cooperation. In that sense, the search itself may be as important as the discovery.
