A recent study published on the arXiv preprint server suggests that the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) could detect hints of life at Proxima Centauri, the closest star system to our solar system, in just 10 hours. The ELT, currently under construction in northern Chile, is expected to come online in 2028 and will offer unparalleled views of the Milky Way.
The ELT’s primary mirror array will have an effective diameter of 39 meters, allowing it to gather more light than previous telescopes by an order of magnitude. This increased sensitivity will enable scientists to capture faint atmospheric spectra from exoplanets, which can provide clues about the presence of life.
One of the most significant advantages of the ELT is its ability to detect life on non-transiting exoplanets via reflected starlight. By analyzing the absorption spectra of a planet’s atmosphere, scientists can determine the molecules present, such as water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. This capability could help settle questions about the atmospheres of exoplanets, like those in the TRAPPIST-1 system.
The ELT’s power was simulated for several scenarios, including planets orbiting nearby red dwarf stars, which are common types of exoplanets. The study focused on four test cases: a water-rich Earth, an early Archean Earth, an Earth-like world with evaporated oceans, and a pre-biotic Earth. The results showed that the ELT could distinguish between these different worlds and make clear distinctions about the presence or absence of life.
For Proxima Centauri, the closest star system to our solar system, the ELT is expected to detect life on an Earth-like world in just 10 hours. This finding has significant implications for the search for extraterrestrial life and could potentially answer one of humanity’s greatest questions in just a few years.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-03-extremely-large-telescope-hints-life.html