life in the universe

Two children in grassy field in mostly barren hillside, with large galaxy in the sky overhead.

How many recipes for life in the universe?

Researchers in Wisconsin are searching for and testing new chemical recipes for the origin of life. Such recipes for life may be common in the universe.

Intelligent life in the universe?

Scientific arguments suggest that alien civilizations should be common in our galaxy. If so, where is everybody? That question is known as the Fermi paradox.

Planet with water and rocky/icy outcrops, with bright sun and 3 other planets in the sky.

Life beyond Earth: A universe of possibilities

Several new reports and discoveries, including 5 new papers, support the possibility of life beyond Earth. Are we getting closer to finding alien life?

The strange case for life in other universes

More about the mind-boggling new studies suggesting that there could be many parallel universes beyond our own, where life is able to flourish.

Fossils suggest a universe filled with life

Evidence of life processes found in fossils in 3.5-billion-year-old rocks. Scientists say this work suggests life in our universe is widespread.

Universe’s first life on diamond planets?

Astronomers propose a search for a theoretical kind of planet known as carbon planets, aka diamond planets. They say such planets might have been habitable.

Person standing on a large rock, silhouetted against a starry night sky.

A bold new theory of intelligent life and origin of humanity

Was the rise of humanity simply a matter of luck? A new theory says no, that we - and perhaps other intelligent life - are the probable outcome of evolution.

Palm-leaf-like spray of multicolored rays radiating from a central point.

What if we find alien life and don’t recognize it?

Astrobiologists are exploring how complexity arises in the universe to build frameworks for recognizing alien life when we finally find it.

Three bright stars near middle with an arcing blue cloud of gas and some smaller stars nearby.

Estimating the odds for intelligent life in the multiverse

A team of astronomers recently looked at how different densities of dark energy in various possible universes would affect the chances for intelligent life.

Life on Mars: Long fan-shaped gullies carved into gray rocky terrain, seen from above.

Could microbial life on Mars be hiding under ice?

A new NASA study said microbial life on Mars could exist in pools of liquid water beneath dusty ice deposits, with enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Serious man with pointy ears looking up from a console.

Goodbye Vulcan: Real-life Star Trek exoplanet doesn’t exist

Astronomers thought there might be a real-life version of the famous Star Trek exoplanet Vulcan orbiting the star 40 Eridani A. But a new study says no.

Large blue planet with small, very red sun in the distance and a tiny crescent of another planet.

Did Webb find signs of life on exoplanet K2-18 b?

NASA's Webb telescope looked at the sub-Neptune exoplanet K2-18 b. It found methane, carbon dioxide, a possible ocean, and even ... maybe ... a biosignature.

A purple and white and orange striped planet.

Is alien life purple? Researchers look beyond Earth’s green

Is alien life purple? Researchers from Cornell University think that as far as alien worlds go, purple may be the new green.

Enceladus: Sunlit edge of planet-like body with blue vapour-like jets erupting into space.

Enceladus hosting cell-sized particles, a hint of life?

A new study of Cassini data has revealed bacteria-sized particles in the plumes of Saturn's ocean moon Enceladus. Could they be evidence of microbial life?

Top of a yellow fish with a black small eye and plant-like stems coming out of it.

Seahorses are tiny, ravenous creatures: Lifeform of the week

Seahorses look like a blend of different animals, making them mysterious and efficient. With no stomach, they have to eat nearly constantly.

Threat of supernovas: An hourglass shaped bright area of gas and dust.

The threat of supernovas to life on Earth

The threat of supernovas to life on Earth is due to their intense radiation. Fortunately, they'd have to be fairly close to affect Earth.

Black background with yellow lights forming an irregular web.

The universe may be younger than we thought

A new study analyzed the motions of satellite galaxy pairs around a large galaxy group and showed the universe may be younger than the standard model predicts.

Planet-like body with many cracks on its surface and jets of vapor coming out of it at the bottom.

Watery plumes on Enceladus could hold signs of life

Do the plumes on Enceladus contain evidence of life from the moon's ocean? A new study shows that amino acids could survive and be detectable by spacecraft.

Blue-colored planet with water ocean and navy clouds in its atmosphere, with reddish star in background.

Can haze on water worlds aid in the search for life?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins are simulating haze on water worlds. The haze muddles observations but can also help determine if an exoplanet is habitable.

Multiple bright and diffuse rings around a bright star, with a couple planets and comets.

‘Bouncing comets’ could spread the seeds of life

Researchers in the U.K. said in a new study that 'bouncing comets' in some planetary systems could deliver prebiotic molecules needed for life to young planets.

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How many recipes for life in the universe?

Intelligent life in the universe?

Life beyond Earth: A universe of possibilities

The strange case for life in other universes

Fossils suggest a universe filled with life

Universe’s first life on diamond planets?

A bold new theory of intelligent life and origin of humanity

What if we find alien life and don’t recognize it?

Estimating the odds for intelligent life in the multiverse

Could microbial life on Mars be hiding under ice?

Goodbye Vulcan: Real-life Star Trek exoplanet doesn’t exist

Did Webb find signs of life on exoplanet K2-18 b?

Is alien life purple? Researchers look beyond Earth’s green

Enceladus hosting cell-sized particles, a hint of life?

Seahorses are tiny, ravenous creatures: Lifeform of the week

The threat of supernovas to life on Earth

The universe may be younger than we thought

Watery plumes on Enceladus could hold signs of life

Can haze on water worlds aid in the search for life?

‘Bouncing comets’ could spread the seeds of life