The 13th session of the Shanghai Master Forum on Science was held at Fudan University on Monday, featuring a captivating presentation by Switzerland's Nobel Prize-winning physicist Didier Queloz, who guided the audience through an intriguing journey into astrophysics.
In 1995, during his doctoral studies, Queloz, alongside his advisor Michel Mayor, discovered the first exoplanet orbiting a star outside the solar system. This groundbreaking discovery revolutionized astronomy and established the field of exoplanet research, fundamentally altering humanity's understanding of its place in the universe.
Queloz has since delved into the profound question of whether life exists elsewhere in the cosmos. He emphasized, however, that his research is not about finding a new home for humanity. "We share a great planet, Earth. The goal of exploring exoplanets is not to leave our home but to live peacefully on Earth. This is humanity's home," he said.
"Besides Earth, we have no evidence of life elsewhere in the universe so far. However, the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence," he said, presenting findings on the atmospheres of certain exoplanets, highlighting the absorption spectra of key molecules like carbon dioxide and methane. While these molecules are not direct evidence of life, they offer clues about potential chemical environments, allowing researchers to infer planetary structures and the conditions necessary for life, said Queloz.
ALSO READ: Space telescope offers rare glimpse of Earth-sized rocky exoplanet
"Is Earth unique? Why did life appear here? These are questions we still can't answer," Queloz said. However, with advancements in observational technology and data accumulation, astronomers can now explore the conditions necessary for life across a broader sample. Complex chemical reactions and planetary atmospheres, once theoretical, are becoming measurable phenomena, said Queloz.
During the lecture, Queloz said he believes extraterrestrial life exists beyond Earth.
"With so many planets, there must be life, even if it's just bacterial traces. Yet, in the Milky Way, we might be rare, perhaps the only intelligent beings aware of the existence of the universe," he said.
