The James Webb Space Telescope has been hailed as the new frontier in space exploration. Launched six months ago, the telescope is set to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos. Its mission is ambitious – to study the first galaxies and luminous formations that emerged after the Big Bang and to answer one of the oldest questions in human history – are we alone in the universe?
Apart from studying exoplanet atmospheres, the telescope will also look for habitable celestial bodies, making the recent discovery of artificial lights on Proxima Centauri a particular focus of discussion. But what does this discovery really mean? Are we finally on the verge of discovering an advanced alien civilization or can the reports be explained in another way?
Proxima Centauri B, the exoplanet orbiting our closest cosmic neighbor, is possibly a cosmic twin of Earth. Located just 4.2 light years away, it is the exoplanet closest to our terrestrial home. However, despite the fact that it orbits within the habitable zone of its host star, meaning water can exist in a liquid form, our knowledge about its habitability is still limited. Recent spectrographic analyses have revealed that Proxima Centauri B has 1.17 Earth masses and a bound rotation, where its day side is constantly illuminated and significantly hotter than its bone-chillingly cold night side. Any potential inhabitants on this planet are still a mystery.
However, in December 2020, the discovery of an artificially-generated radio signal from Proxima Centauri was announced. Some experts believe it could be an advanced alien civilization that has left traces on its homeland. The signal’s source is yet to be located, but this offers hope that we might finally discover the existence of extraterrestrial life.
The James Webb Space Telescope offers a new hope for the scientific community to answer some of the universe’s most complex questions. Its images are just the tip of an iceberg, with possibilities of greater discoveries in the future. As research into the fascinating realities of our universe expands, the telescope promises to be a game changer in connecting us to the vast expanse of space beyond our planet.
