Extraterrestrial life likely exists—but humans won't meet it soon, says astrophysicist

The search for extraterrestrial life continues to intrigue scientists, with new discoveries making the idea seem less far-fetched. Sergei Yazev, a leading astrophysicist and professor, believes life almost certainly exists beyond Earth—but humans are unlikely to encounter it anytime soon.

Yazev points to the sheer number of planets in the universe, many of which could support life. Even a tiny fraction of habitable worlds might harbour living organisms, he argues. Yet he stresses that current technology makes interstellar travel impossible due to the vast distances involved.

Scientists regularly find organic compounds, including amino acids, in meteorites, comets, and interstellar dust. These discoveries suggest the building blocks of life are widespread. However, Yazev admits that how life actually begins remains unsolved. One promising location is Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon, where researchers are studying conditions that could sustain life. Meanwhile, most known exoplanets lack the right environment for life as we know it. Despite this, the search goes on. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has sparked debate by suggesting that interstellar objects, like 3I/ATLAS, might be alien technology. His claims remain controversial, with many scientists sceptical of such interpretations.

Yazev concludes that the chance of humans meeting extraterrestrials with today's technology is zero. While the universe holds the ingredients for life, the mystery of its origins persists. For now, the hunt for answers continues through observation and research.