Researchers Highlight Purple Bacteria as Key to Detecting Exoplanetary Life

A new study suggests purple bacteria could thrive on exoplanets, expanding the search for alien life beyond traditional green biosignatures.

Cornell University researchers identify purple bacteria as potential dominant life forms on exoplanets.
Study finds purple bacteria could thrive under a variety of conditions, including low light and low oxygen environments.
Next-generation telescopes could detect 'light fingerprints' of purple bacteria, aiding in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Models of Earth-like planets show purple bacteria could survive in diverse conditions from frozen to ocean worlds.
Research emphasizes the need to broaden the database of life signatures to include non-green biosignatures.