The estimates of how many planets in the universe might contain intelligent life vary significantly from zero to millions, with recent scientific studies based on NASA’s own findings now suggesting there could be in excess of 60 million in the Milky Way alone.
Many scientists agree that life is most likely going to be found on earth-sized planets orbiting red dwarfs, of which there are many millions. Once scientists factored in the idea that cloud cover may keep such planets even more temperate, their estimations for life in the universe soared dramatically.
So what does this all mean? Well, it means that there is a far greater chance that we are not alone in the universe than anyone previously expected, giving credence to the claims made by many for years. However, whether this means we are likely to be visited by little green men any time soon is another story.
What is does mean, however, is that stargazing just got a little more interesting, and with the majority of scientists in agreement that intelligent life is almost certainly out there, it is likely that even the most amateur stargazers will be using their telescopes to look to the skies for more proof. Whilst there remains little in the way of evidence that we have ever been visited by alien life in the past, the high number of planets that may contain intelligent life is likely to vindicate those who are certain we have, making it even more possible, if not yet quite likely, that intelligent life could well have paid us a visit.
Using astronomical telescopes might not offer you the chance to see alien ships descending on our planet, but they certainly offer a great deal of fun for individuals who want to see for themselves exactly what might be going on up there beyond our own world.
