If alien life is nearby, intelligent, and just waiting to be found, then it seems MIT astrobiologists have discovered a new approach to solving a very old problem; stop being swayed by results based on what life looks like here on Earth, and start looking for every trace of biological molecule that is chemically possible.
In fact, researchers have set some limits on the vast database of hypothetical molecules. The core hypothesis is that any volatile, stable compound could be a potential building block for life and stay there long enough to build up detectable levels.
During the study of the exoplanet Kepler-452bSo, the researchers began compiling a list of all these compounds, algorithmically combining atoms in every possible combination until all molecules with between 2 and 6 non-hydrogen atoms were found. Their algorithm combines the elements most critical for life, which are:
Carbon
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Sulfur
Hydrogen
This is then recombined into different physical arrangements, also known as isomers. The result is tens of thousands of molecules.
The sheer scope of the goals creates the opposite problem from what researchers have experienced so far. Using this technique, the wunderkinds at MIT could actually have proposed a plausible plan for finding life on other planets, although it's much easier to say in theory than in actual practice.
We'll obviously wait for researchers to come up with their new proposed ideas, but we're ultimately glad that someone has thought outside the box to search for life on different planets.
