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A survey among astrobiologists and other scientists has demonstrated a high level of confidence in the possibility of extraterrestrial life, both simple and complex.
Four surveys were conducted between February and June 2024, with 521 astrobiologists and 534 scientists from other disciplines, such as biology and physics, taking part. The results show that 86,6% of astrobiologists and 88,4% of other scientists are convinced that simple life forms exist in the universe. Less than 2% disagreed, and 12% remained neutral. At the same time, 67,4% of astrobiologists and 58,2% of representatives of other disciplines believe that the existence of complex life forms, including intelligent ones, is possible.
Among scientists, disagreement about the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life remains minimal. For example, only 10,2% of astrobiologists disagreed with the idea that aliens are possible. This consensus is supported by scientific data that indicate numerous environments in the universe that are potentially suitable for life. Conditions such as subglacial oceans on the moons Europa and Enceladus, as well as the Martian subsurface, create the prerequisites for the existence of biological organisms. In addition, early Mars, with its rivers, lakes, and dense atmosphere, could also be suitable for life.
Scientific evidence of the prevalence of Earth-like conditions strengthens the argument in favor of the existence of life beyond Earth. As the study emphasizes, the fact that life arose on our planet proves the possibility of its formation from inorganic substances. Although the exact mechanism of abiogenesis (the origin of life) has not yet been established, the lack of a need for extremely rare conditions indicates that life may be a common phenomenon in the universe.
Thus, most scientists tend to believe that there are numerous places in the universe that could potentially be inhabited. This research is an important step in understanding our prospects for encountering other forms of life, even intelligent ones.
Most scientists believe in the existence of aliens appeared first on Curiosity.
