<p><strong>Direct</strong> observation of exoplanets (and then of traces of life on them) is still a big challenge. </p>

<p>Up to now, there are several  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_detecting_extrasolar_planets">indirect methods</a> (effects on the parent star or on other stars), and direct detection is performed by using devices such as <strong>coronagraphs</strong> on faint stars, where very bright planets are imaged.</p>

<p>A way to <strong>image</strong> things such as as "forests" is very far in the future, and could be achieved by using extreme coronagraphy in <strong>space interferometers</strong> .</p>

<p>Another way is to use <strong>spectroscopy</strong> to find traces of biological activity in the athmosphere. This solution is very tricky due to the faint light reflected by extrasolar planets.</p>

<p>It is anyway a field where progresses are very quick, so stay tuned!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-24T02:55:17.733Z
please mind correcting the spelling of **atmosphere**.
Hammad Nasir
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-05T17:30:20.730Z
2013-11-05T17:30:20.730Z
leonard vertighel
<p>We can observe exoplanets, but is it possible with today's technology to observe if there is life as we know it on an exoplanet? What do you look for when doing this kind of observation? </p>

<observational-astronomy><extra-terrestrial><life>
Is it possible to observe if there is traces of life on an exoplanet?
bogen
# Is it possible to observe if there is traces of life on an exoplanet?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-11-05)

We can observe exoplanets, but is it possible with today's technology to observe if there is life as we know it on an exoplanet? What do you look for when doing this kind of observation?

**Tags:** observational-astronomy, extra-terrestrial, life

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-11-05. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

**Direct** observation of exoplanets (and then of traces of life on them) is still a big challenge.

Up to now, there are several [indirect methods](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_detecting_extrasolar_planets) (effects on the parent star or on other stars), and direct detection is performed by using devices such as **coronagraphs** on faint stars, where very bright planets are imaged.

A way to **image** things such as as "forests" is very far in the future, and could be achieved by using extreme coronagraphy in **space interferometers** .

Another way is to use **spectroscopy** to find traces of biological activity in the athmosphere. This solution is very tricky due to the faint light reflected by extrasolar planets.

It is anyway a field where progresses are very quick, so stay tuned!

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: please mind correcting the spelling of **atmosphere**.  

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