Current Events: "Astrobiology and Science Fiction"

 

Astrobiology and Science Fiction 

Astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) have advanced significantly since the time of Ivan Yefremov , offering science fiction writers a vast field of informed speculation. His short story " Starships " (" The Best of Russian SciFi" 1965, Page 87 ) illustrates how science fiction can draw on scientific knowledge to imagine possible forms of alien life.On the speculation of extraterrestrial life, like almost all SciFi writers, I have addressed it countless times.

 "The Three Moons of Adhara " provides an approximation of what the discovery of alien races is like. In the continuation of that story, " The Rescue of the Benfold " I deal with the subject of interdimensional contact with extraterrestrial life. The fusion of those two stories gave rise to my short novel " The Origin of Humanity ".

Today, with new research into exoplanets, biosignatures , and Earth-based extremophiles , the narrative possibilities for science fiction writers have expanded greatly.  Since 1995, with the detection of the first exoplanet around a solar-type star ( 51 Pegasi b ), the search for potentially habitable worlds has accelerated. Instruments such as the Kepler space telescope and, more recently, the James Webb telescope have identified thousands of exoplanets , some within their stars' habitable zones, where liquid water could exist.   

Studies of Earth-based extremophiles—organisms that thrive in extreme environments, such as the deep ocean, acidic lakes, and Antarctica—have broadened the definition of what we consider habitable. This suggests that extraterrestrial life could exist in previously dismissed places, such as the icy moons Europa and Enceladus or in the atmospheres of gas giants like Venus.  Scientists search for biosignatures (oxygen, methane, organic compounds) on exoplanets that indicate biological activity. In addition, " technosignatures ," such as anomalous radio emissions or artificial structures, have been proposed as evidence of advanced civilizations.  

 Although the famous " Wow!" signal of 1977 remains unexplained, new initiatives like Breakthrough Listen are exploring space with state-of-the-art radio astronomy. The chance of detecting an extraterrestrial signal remains low, but not impossible.   

And science fiction writers? 

Today, science fiction writers have adopted different approaches to depicting extraterrestrial life based on these discoveries:  

Science-Based Alien Biology  

In the style of Yefremov, current authors create alien species with solid scientific foundations. Examples include:  

• " Blindsight " (you're welcome! haha) by Peter Watts : aliens without conscience, based on alternative biology.  
• Liu Cixin 's " The Dark Forest " : Extraterrestrial intelligence with Darwinian survival strategies.  
• Sue Burke 's " Semiosis " : Intelligent plants with symbiotic communication.  

Contact and Communication with Intelligent Civilizations   

Inspired by SETI studies and the difficulties of interstellar contact, modern writers have explored the challenges of first contact:  

• The film " Arrival " (based on Ted Chiang 's " Story of Your Life ") explores alien linguistics and the perception of time.  
• Robert Charles Wilson 's " Spin " discusses the arrival of a mysterious shield around the Earth.  
• Liu Cixin 's " The Three-Body Problem " deals with the cultural and philosophical clash between species.  

Life in Extreme Environments  

Given the scientific interest in icy moons and exoplanets with extreme conditions, stories have explored hostile but inhabited worlds:  

• Kim Stanley Robinson 's " 2312 " imagines the terraforming and colonization of extreme worlds.  
• The film " Europa Report " presents a manned mission to Europa in search of life beneath its frozen ocean.  

Development Possibilities in Short Stories and Novels  

With current advances in astrobiology and SETI, science fiction writers can explore multiple directions:  

Life Based on Alternative Chemistry 

• Organisms with metabolism based on ammonia instead of water.  
• Life with silicon structures instead of carbon.  
• Beings that develop in interstellar gas clouds or in stars.  

Non-Anthropomorphic Alien Intelligence 

• Civilizations based on swarms of collective intelligence.  
• Consciousnesses distributed in interplanetary communication networks.  
• Life based on symbiosis, where several species combine abilities.  

Narratives about SETI Contact 

• Discovery of a technosignature and the race to decipher it.  
• The dilemma of whether or not to respond to an alien signal.  
• Extinct civilizations detected by their technological remains.  

Exoplanet Explorations 

• First settlements on planets with ambiguous biosignatures.  
• Human colonies that must adapt to the local alien biology.  
• Scientific missions that find evidence of past life.  

And... as I have accustomed you in this series of current affairs notes, I offer you five ideas for science fiction stories inspired by extremophiles and astrobiology for you to develop in your novels or stories:

1. The Shadowless Species - Inspired by: Radiophiles and xerophiles (Mars and arid planets)

In the near future, a robotic mission sent to Mars detects microorganisms underground that appear to be resistant to extreme radiation. However, when astronauts on the first manned mission investigate them, they discover that the organisms are completely transparent to visible light and electromagnetic waves. They are invisible not because they are small, but because their molecular structure doesn't interact with light.

The problem arises when they begin to adapt to the astronauts' environment and, little by little, replicate within their bodies without being detected. Are they a threat or a life form seeking to coexist with humans?

2. Deep Sea, Red Sky - Inspired by: Barophiles and thermophiles (Oceanic moons like Europa and Enceladus)

A team of explorers arrives on an ice-covered moon and sends an autonomous submersible to explore a subterranean ocean. There, they encounter a bioluminescent life form inhabiting hydrothermal plumes. Surprisingly, these organisms seem to communicate using electrical impulses in the water, forming patterns similar to a binary language.

When scientists try to decipher the code, they discover it's not just a language, but a hive mind of billions of single-celled organisms. A moral dilemma arises when they realize that drilling for exploration could destroy this microscopic alien civilization before they can fully understand it.

3. Star Farming - Inspired by: Halophiles and Acidophiles (Planets with extreme atmospheres)

A mining corporation discovers an exoplanet with an acidic ocean teeming with extremophile microorganisms that process heavy metals, transforming them into extremely valuable compounds for technology. As mining begins, scientists discover that the microorganisms are not just primitive life, but that they act in a coordinated manner, generating patterns that mimic more complex organic structures.

Soon, the corporation faces a dilemma: continue exploiting the resources or stop to further study what could be an evolving alien life form? As they debate, the microorganisms begin to aggressively adapt to humans, developing resistance and showing signs of biological artificial intelligence.

4. Born of Ice - Inspired by: Psychrophiles and alternative chemistry organisms (Titan, Pluto and cold exoplanets)

On Titan, a robotic probe detects movement in its liquid methane lakes. What appeared to be mere atmospheric turbulence turns out to be a hydrocarbon-based life form that doesn't use water in its biochemistry. These organisms don't have DNA, but rather a completely different molecular structure, based on exotic polymers.

When scientists attempt to simulate its metabolism on Earth, they discover that its chemistry is incompatible with terrestrial biology… until they begin modifying its own structure. Could humanity be facing the first truly adaptable life form, capable of evolving in any environment?

5. Ruins in the Wind - Inspired by: Archaea-like organisms (Desert exoplanets and exotic life forms)

An exploration team arrives on a barren exoplanet where life seems impossible. However, they discover that the planet's winds carry microscopic spores that can go dormant for centuries. These spores contain extremely advanced genetic codes, and when activated by moisture, they generate temporary structures resembling biological cities that emerge from the ground and disappear in a matter of days.

The big question is: Were these spores created by an advanced civilization as an artificial life form, or are they the result of millions of years of evolution in an alien biosphere? What will happen if they come into contact with human biology?

In closing...

Science fiction has always been a laboratory for hypotheses about life in the universe, and advances in astrobiology and SETI have broadened those horizons. From detailed biological speculation to philosophical dilemmas about first contact, the genre continues to evolve with science.  

In the tradition of "Starships," writers can continue to build believable alien worlds, incorporating the latest discoveries and expanding our imaginations about what might await us beyond Earth.  

What are you looking forward to exploring all these possible futures?

Good writing! ✍️