Searching for life on another planet

TRAPPIST-1e, a rocky exoplanet located 40 light years away, offers a promising environment for extraterrestrial life due to its position within a habitable zone. Unlike planets dominated by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide or hydrogen, which create extreme heat, TRAPPIST-1e likely possesses a nitrogen-dominated atmosphere. This chemical composition is a critical indicator of habitability, as nitrogen helps maintain stable temperatures suitable for biological organisms. Science journalist Caroline Steele notes that researchers are currently using atmospheric models to determine if the planet’s climate can consistently support life. While the scale of space travel remains immense—illustrated by the fact that driving to our own sun at 100 km/h would take 170 years—the discovery of Earth-sized planets with potential atmospheres marks a significant milestone in the search for life beyond Earth. Identifying specific nitrogen levels remains the primary focus for confirming whether this distant world is truly habitable.