LIFE, or the Large Interferometer for Exoplanets, is a space telescope that might lead us to an Earth-like exoplanet (and perhaps even life) beyond our solar system. If approved by the European Space Agency, LIFE will be even more powerful than the Webb Telescope and the mid-infrared ELT imager and spectrograph attached to the Extremely Large Telescope. Its main feature is the ability to look for trace molecules in exoplanet atmospheres that could have been made by living organisms. Astrophysicist Sasha Quanz believes that with these technologies, we’ll likely find life within 25 years. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
