The right combination of methane and oxygen could indicate the presence of life on another planet. However, the planet would need to be located in a temperate zone, not too hot nor too cold. 

Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH₄. It’s the main constituent of natural gas. Methane is found both below ground and under the seafloor. It’s formed by both geological and biological processes. 

Oxygen is an important substance that most species need to survive. 

NASA uses slices missing from the light spectrum to tell which ingredients are present in an alien atmosphere. One pattern of black gaps might indicate methane, another, oxygen. Seeing those together could be a strong argument for the presence of life. 

Terrestrial planets require significant methane surface fluxes to sustain high atmospheric abundances. On Earth, life sustains large methane surface fluxes, and so methane has long been regarded as a potential biosignature gas for terrestrial exoplanets. 

Finding the right combination of methane and oxygen could indicate the presence of life on another planet — but that world needs to be located in a temperate zone, not too hot nor too cold. Getting the right mix of life-sustaining ingredients in a life-friendly environment is challenging, Kaltenegger says.

How can scientists use carbon to find life on other planets?

One way to find life outside our Solar System is to peer into the atmospheres of distant planets, looking for gases that may be produced by living organisms. A group of scientists thinks we should look for two gases in particular: carbon dioxide and methane.

Why is methane important exoplanets?

Terrestrial planets, which are the focus of this study, require significant methane surface fluxes to sustain high atmospheric abundances. On Earth, life sustains large methane surface fluxes, and so methane has long been regarded as a potential biosignature gas for terrestrial exoplanets

How do we know if there is life on other planets?

A massive, technologically advanced telescope is crucial for detecting the composition of an Earth-like planet’s atmosphere, including the subtle chemical signatures that life is expected to produce

How do we detect life on other planets?

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope or the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope, could zero in on a distant planet’s reflected light to detect the signatures of oxygen, water vapor, or some other powerful indication of possible life. But unless we get lucky, the search for signs of life could take decades

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