NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Dr Michelle Thaller, NASA's assistant director of science communication, recently revealed that NASA has contemplated what actions to take if the James Webb Space Telescope were to uncover evidence of extraterrestrial life.
This revelation came during a gathering in New York City, where Dr Thaller discussed the telescope's mission and its potential implications.
The James Webb Space Telescope, launched on Christmas Day in 2021, was designed by NASA to unravel the mysteries of our solar system, peer into distant worlds around other stars, and explore the enigmatic structures and origins of the universe.
Preparing for otherworldly encounters
Dr Thaller emphasized that these mysteries could encompass the search for alien life, and NASA collaborates with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) in this endeavor.
"We actually work with SETI — the search for extraterrestrial intelligence," Thaller stated.
"There are extra scientists that are searching the sky for signs of alien civilizations. We've had conferences about what happens if the James Webb Space Telescope observes an atmosphere of a planet around another star and we see things that don't look natural," she added.
Dr Thaller pointed out that potential signs of alien civilizations might manifest as unusual atmospheric phenomena, such as pollution originating from a distant planet.
She expressed optimism about the possibility of detecting alien life in the not-so-distant future, speculating that it could even be in the form of microbial life on celestial bodies like Venus, Mars, or Saturn's largest moon, Titan, The Sun reported.
The James Webb Space Telescope, with its $10 billion budget, possesses exceptional capabilities to scrutinize distant worlds.
Dr Thaller noted, "The Webb Telescope has the ability to actually detect chemicals, gases that are in planets around other stars."
While such observations have already been conducted, the planets examined so far have markedly differed from Earth.
Dr. Thaller expressed hope that this year might bring the discovery of a planet with characteristics similar to our own, potentially holding clues to the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Increased UFO and UAP sightings
In a broader context, this revelation comes amidst increased public interest in the subject of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and potential extraterrestrial encounters.
The US Department of Defense recently unveiled a website aimed at providing official declassified information on UFOs, also known as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs).
The move follows a series of high-profile disclosures and testimonies related to UFOs, underscoring the government's commitment to transparency regarding its work on such phenomena.
Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, announced the website's development, stating that it would serve as a comprehensive resource for the public to access pictures, videos, reports, transcripts, and frequently asked questions about UAPs.
The website, accessible via the domain aaro.mil, reflects the Defense Department's commitment to keeping the American people informed about their investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena.
"This website will serve as a one-stop shop for all publicly available information related to the Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and UAP," the release states, with defense officials saying the "AARO will regularly update the website with its most recent activities and findings as new information is cleared for public release."
Who is Dr Michelle Thaller?
Dr Michelle Lynn Thaller is a prominent American astronomer and research scientist, currently serving as the assistant director for Science Communication at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Her journey into exploring the cosmos began with a bachelor's degree in astrophysics from Harvard University, followed by a PhD from Georgia State University in 1998, focusing on colliding winds in massive binary systems.
Beyond her academic achievements, Dr Thaller is a prolific science communicator, making complex astronomical concepts accessible to the public.
She is a regular contributor to the Christian Science Monitor's online edition, a frequent on-camera expert on The History Channel and Science Channel, and has hosted podcasts and video series, including the PRX/Sky & Telescope Orbital Path Podcasts.
Thaller lost her beloved husband, astrophysicist Andrew Booth, in 2020, and currently resides in Maryland.
