The Methane-Sniffing Super Computer That's Looking for Aliens

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By Eric Larson2014-07-24 01:17:30 UTC

Biologically speaking, methane's kind of a big deal. When it comes to finding life on other planets, it's an even bigger deal.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed an absorption spectrum (i.e. supercomputer) that's able to detect methane, via light absorption on other planets, at temperatures of up to 2,228 degrees Fahrenheit — more than 2,000 times more powerful than any devices before it.

See also: The Hunt for Killer Asteroids

Elliott's super pumped about it in the latest episode of Mashable Minute .

Earlier this week, we took a look at an immersive theater company in London that's recreating the setting of Back to the Future:

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Topics: aliens, Mashable Minute, Space, Tech, Videos, World

Image: Mashable