If we could detect a clear, unambiguous biosignature on just one of the thousands of exoplanets we know of, it would be a huge, game-changing moment for humanity. But it's extremely difficult. We simply aren't in a place where we can be certain that what we're detecting means what we think or even hope it does.
It does assume life is capable of spreading via lithopanspermia. In all of the worlds we’ve examined (earth, Mars, the moon, maybe Venus if you’re feeling charitable), we have not seen evidence that lithopanspermia spreads life.
Let’s do this.
It does assume life is capable of spreading via lithopanspermia. In all of the worlds we’ve examined (earth, Mars, the moon, maybe Venus if you’re feeling charitable), we have not seen evidence that lithopanspermia spreads life.
But maybe it works elsewhere.
We really need to take a closer look at Europa, Titan, and Enceladus.