A new simulation study suggests that the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) could detect signs of life on a planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the Sun, within under half a day. The telescope’s massive light-gathering power and unprecedented resolution enable it to distinguish between living and non-living planets based solely on the reflected light from their atmospheres.
The ELT, set to begin operations in 2028, will be the largest optical/infrared telescope ever built on Earth. Its enormous surface area allows it to collect more light than any previous ground-based telescope, producing images up to 16 times sharper than Hubble. This technology enables it to capture reflected starlight directly from exoplanetary atmospheres, unlike other telescopes that rely on indirect detection.
Simulations of four Earth-like worlds orbiting nearby red dwarf stars were conducted to evaluate the ELT’s potential. The results show that with only ten hours of observation, the telescope could likely identify atmospheric biosignatures on an Earth-like planet around Proxima Centauri. For gas giants, meaningful spectra could be obtained in just an hour.
Proxima Centauri is home to at least two known exoplanets, Proxima b and Proxima d. If even a thin atmosphere exists around Proxima b, the ELT might detect it. The study highlights the risk of spectral ambiguity and the need for stronger biosignature frameworks to avoid mistaken conclusions.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/elt-could-detect-life-at-proxima-centauri