Galaxy illustration taken by a NASA telescope -

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NASA wants to explore all possible avenues to detect intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations around us.

The American space agency decided this time to search for traces of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the atmosphere of exoplanets, reports 

Futura Sciences

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NO2 emitted naturally and industrially

"On Earth, the largest share of NO2 emissions come from human activity, up to 76% of total emissions," explains Ravi Kopparapu, researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

This is why we believe that observing NO2 in the atmosphere of a habitable exoplanet could indicate the presence of an advanced extraterrestrial civilization.

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During their observations, the researchers will have to be careful and distinguish the nitrogen dioxide emitted naturally from that emanating from possible industrial activities.

If a civilization produces the same amount of nitrogen dioxide as humans on Earth, it would be possible to detect it up to 30 light years away from our planet.

Researchers are interested in nitrogen dioxide because it is a by-product of all combustion.

Other studies had already been carried out with another technosignature which was a probable pollutant, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Research had come to nothing, CFCs being manufactured chemicals that only very advanced civilizations would use.

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  • Science

  • Space

  • Nasa

  • Pollution

  • Extraterrestrial

  • Exoplanet