Astronomers prepare to detect cryptic exoplanet biosignals

Simulations and laboratory tests are compiling signs of familiar and unearthly life that could be visible in future telescopes.

Investigators eager to learn whether any exoplanets harbour life hope to find hints in telescopes' first fuzzy images.

Carl Sagan described Earth as viewed from space as a pale blue dot, and our first direct images of light-years distant planets will be just as minuscule.