A new book about exoplanets in the universe entitled “Five Billion Years of Solitude” by science writer Lee Billings suggests that the costs of actually discovering and verifying the existence of alien life are so high that it is not likely to happen.

A new book about exoplanets in the universe entitled “Five Billion Years of Solitude” by science writer Lee Billings suggests that the costs of actually discovering and verifying the existence of alien life are so high that it is not likely to happen.



Advanced space telescopes have been instrumental in the discovery of multitudes of exoplanets, some of which even have atmospheres that contain oxygen and environments that might be able to sustain extraterrestrial life.



These discoveries have been some of the most significant in the history of astronomy.



Billings is quoted as saying: “If I could gather the astronomical community in a room, I would implore them to consider the fact that the golden age of astronomy in which we all live has no guarantees of continuing. We aren't going to find alien Earths and life beyond the solar system through the fantasies of multibillion-dollar Kickstarter campaigns.”



Although there are many innovative projects being funded by NASA for the development of more advanced equipment to discover the chemical make up of distant planets, some have also run into significant budgetary problems.



What do you think? Is it worth the cost to investigate the possibility of life on other planets?