Scientists Pinpoint the Closest Place Alien Life Could Exist

The idea of alien life usually makes people imagine nearby worlds: Mars, Europa, Enceladus, or planets orbiting stars close to the Sun. But a new study discussed by Space.com suggests that if we are talking specifically about technologically advanced alien civilizations, the nearest one may be much farther away than many people expect — possibly around 33,000 light-years from Earth.

That does not mean scientists have found aliens, and it does not mean simple alien life cannot exist closer to us. The study is focused on civilizations capable of technology, which may require a rare combination of long-lasting habitability, plate tectonics, stable carbon dioxide levels, enough oxygen, and time for complex life to evolve. In other words, the closest place alien life could exist may depend heavily on what kind of alien life we mean.