The James Webb Space Telescope will open up the 'secrets of the universe,' NASA administrator says

In addition to detecting exoplanets, Webb is "going to be able to determine what is the chemical composition in an atmosphere of that planet," Nelson said.

This will be interesting. I don't think finding atmospheric evidence of life means humans will find planets to colonise - even if the atmosphere and biochemistry is compatible (seems unlikely) I think if ever humans are capable of reaching and colonising interstellar planets they will be beyond needing planets to live on.

I think the uncontaminated alien biochemistry would be more valuable for study than planetary real estate used for indulging the primitive urge to own and occupy land under open skies, only to remake alien ecosystems into terrestrial ones.
 

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