{
  "id": 10325108,
  "title": "David N. Spergel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/david-n-spergel",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-28T00:19:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/apod/david-n-spergel/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The latest Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) features a starman waiting in the sky, as inspired by David Bowie's song. David N. Spergel, a Charles Young Professor Emeritus at Princeton University and Co-Chair of NASA's WFIRST Form. Science Working Group, discusses the challenges of detecting extraterrestrial life. The best guess is that humanity will first discover extraterrestrial life through biosignatures, such as oxygen, ozone, and methane in the atmospheres of exoplanets. However, the timescale for technological evolution is much shorter than the timescale for the development of life on exoplanets, which could be a billion years older or younger than Earth. Additionally, advanced civilizations may be technologically more advanced, making it difficult for us to detect them using compressed signals on optical fibers. Spergel emphasizes the importance of developing the ability to image and characterize the atmospheres of exoplanets, which will drive the design of telescopes for the next century, including the upcoming WFIRST mission.",
  "summary": "Director: Center for Computational Astrophysics, FlatironCharles Young Professor Emeritus, Princeton UniversityCo-Chair: NASA WFIRST Form. Science Working GroupLecturer, “Imagining Other Earths”, Free COURSERA lectureshttps://www.coursera.org/learn/life-on-other-planets How will humanity first discover ET Life?Best guess: BiosignatureWhy we will need to wait for advanced lifeforms to contact us:–…",
  "key_points": [
    "David N. Spergel discusses challenges of detecting extraterrestrial life.",
    "Biosignatures like oxygen, ozone, and methane are key to finding life on exoplanets.",
    "Advanced civilizations may be too technologically advanced for us to detect."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}