Sejong University professor explores conditions for scientific development on exoplanets

A Sejong University professor has delved into a novel study published in an international astronomy journal, examining how the astronomical conditions of exoplanets might impact the scientific progress of hypothetical intelligent civilizations. Zee Woong-bae, a professor at the university’s School of Liberal Studies, recently shared his findings in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, titled "Alien Skies: Visibility of Planetary Retrograde Motion from Rocky Habitable-Zone Worlds."

The university highlighted that Zee’s research extends beyond the traditional focus on conditions conducive to extraterrestrial life, such as planetary temperatures and the presence of liquid water – known as "habitability." Instead, his work introduces a new concept called "developmentability," which builds upon the established idea of habitability.

Zee’s study suggests that the visibility of planetary retrograde motion from rocky habitable-zone worlds could play a crucial role in enabling intelligent life on exoplanets to advance their scientific understanding and technological capabilities.