🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 60 (from laksa114)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa060.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/do-aliens-exist\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/do-aliens-exist\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/do-aliens-exist","crawl_time":1775898708,"first_indexed_time":1734130509,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,countryfile!www,\/astronomy\/do-aliens-exist s443","src_root_hash":"4751045485701849660","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Do aliens exist? | Countryfile.com","meta_descriptions":["Could aliens exist? Iain Todd takes a look at the evidence..."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Whether or not life exists beyond Earth is a question that has persisted since humans first began to look up at the night sky.\nNowadays, the scientific pursuit in search of answers is known as SETI: the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. SETI works under the premise that, if intelligent life exists out there, we should use science and technology to try and find it.\nDo aliens exist?\nIt’s worth pointing out that, from a neutral, objective stance, there is no hard or even remotely convincing evidence that an advanced alien species has ever visited Earth.\nBut does that mean we should rule out life existing beyond Earth altogether?\nExoplanet scientists now infer that, for every star we can see in the night sky, there is on average at least one planet in orbit around it.\nThere could be at most 400 billion stars in the Milky Way alone, and ours isn't even a big galaxy. Our nearest major galactic neighbour, the\nAndromeda Galaxy\n, likely has one trillion stars.\nAnd there could be two trillion galaxies in the observable Universe.\nThink about how many planets there must be.\nSome will be scorching hot gas giants, some freezing cold icy worlds.\nMany will be rocky, Earth-mass planets orbiting close enough to their host stars that liquid water could pool on their surface.\nThey may have oceans and seas, just the right temperature for life to take hold the way it did on Earth.\nIt seems like life elsewhere in the Universe must surely be an inevitability. And yet, there is a distinct lack of any life, anywhere that we have been able to detect.\nIt seems inconceivable we could be the only planet to have ever hosted living beings, and yet for the time being at least, we must resign ourselves to that conclusion.\nStargazing guide: Britain's dark sky sites, best places to stargaze, plus how to get started\nHow to see the Northern Lights in Britain\nMeteor shower guide: why do meteor showers occur and when is the next meteor shower in the UK?\nMoon names: your month by month guide","attrs_markdown":"- Magazine Subscription Offer\n- Newsletter\n- Podcast\n- Competitions\n- Contact us\n\n- Go outdoors[![]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors)\n- British wildlife[![]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife)\n- Animals[![]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals)\n- People[![]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/people)\n- How to[![]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/how-to)\n- Magazine[![]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/magazine)\n- TV Show[![]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/countryfile-tv-show)\n- Subscribe\n- Newsletters\n\nHome\n\nastronomy\n\nDo aliens exist?\n\n# Do aliens exist?\nCould aliens exist? Iain Todd takes a look at the evidence...\n\n![Do aliens exist?]()\n\nGetty images\n\n[Iain Todd](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/author\/iain-todd)\n\nPublished: November 6, 2024 at 1:46 pm\n***\n\n**Whether or not life exists beyond Earth is a question that has persisted since humans first began to look up at the night sky.**\n\nNowadays, the scientific pursuit in search of answers is known as SETI: the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. SETI works under the premise that, if intelligent life exists out there, we should use science and technology to try and find it.\n\n## **Do aliens exist?**\nIt’s worth pointing out that, from a neutral, objective stance, there is no hard or even remotely convincing evidence that an advanced alien species has ever visited Earth.\n\nBut does that mean we should rule out life existing beyond Earth altogether?\n\nExoplanet scientists now infer that, for every star we can see in the night sky, there is on average at least one planet in orbit around it.\n\nThere could be at most 400 billion stars in the Milky Way alone, and ours isn't even a big galaxy. Our nearest major galactic neighbour, the [Andromeda Galaxy](https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/astrophotography\/galaxies\/andromeda-galaxy), likely has one trillion stars.\n\nAnd there could be two trillion galaxies in the observable Universe.\n\nThink about how many planets there must be.\n\nSome will be scorching hot gas giants, some freezing cold icy worlds.\n\nMany will be rocky, Earth-mass planets orbiting close enough to their host stars that liquid water could pool on their surface.\n\nThey may have oceans and seas, just the right temperature for life to take hold the way it did on Earth.\n\nIt seems like life elsewhere in the Universe must surely be an inevitability. And yet, there is a distinct lack of any life, anywhere that we have been able to detect.\n\nIt seems inconceivable we could be the only planet to have ever hosted living beings, and yet for the time being at least, we must resign ourselves to that conclusion.\n\n- [Stargazing guide: Britain's dark sky sites, best places to stargaze, plus how to get started](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/how-to\/outdoor-skills\/stargazing-guide-britains-dark-sky-locations-best-places-to-stargaze-plus-how-to-get-started)\n- [How to see the Northern Lights in Britain](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/how-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-britain)\n- [Meteor shower guide: why do meteor showers occur and when is the next meteor shower in the UK?](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/meteor-shower-guide)\n- [Moon names: your month by month guide](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/moon-names)\n\n[![Author avatar]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/author\/iain-todd)\n\n[Iain Todd]()\n\nIain Todd is a space and astronomy writer\n\n## You may also like\n[![Stormy cloud over a a moody sky]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/photography\/britains-weirdest-weather-phenomena)\n\n[Countryfile12 weirdest weather phenomena, according to meteorologists10\/10\/2024We get a lot of weather in Britain. But just when you think you’ve seen it all, you may be lucky enough to witness one of the strange and startling atmospheric phenomena that occur occasionally here.Show morego-outdoors photography apple-newsbritish-storms clouds id-guide weatherRead](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/photography\/britains-weirdest-weather-phenomena)\n\n[![A hiker and their dog exploring the Scottish Countryside. This image has added grain and styling.]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/go-outdoors\/best-outdoor-adventures)\n\n[Countryfile50 outdoor adventures: Inspiring adventure ideas for the year ahead1\/31\/2024Get back to nature in 2024 by creating your own personal wish list of outdoor experiences and little adventures. Here are 50 ideas to help you get you started and make the most of your yearShow morecamping-go-outdoors get-active go-outdoors apple-newsRead](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/go-outdoors\/best-outdoor-adventures)\n\n[![Aerial of the Isles of Scilly, England, United Kingdom]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/go-outdoors\/days-out\/best-islands-to-visit-in-the-uk)\n\n[CountryfileBest islands to visit in the UK6\/11\/2021Discover Britain's most beautiful islands, from the majesty of the Isle of Skye in Scotland and the tranquility of the Channel Islands to Pembrokeshire's famous wildlife-havens of Skomer, Ramsey and Caldey.Show moredays-out go-outdoorsholiday-ideas summer-islands uk-islandsRead](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/go-outdoors\/days-out\/best-islands-to-visit-in-the-uk)\n\n[![BNK574 St Martins; looking towards Tresco; Isles of Scilly]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/go-outdoors\/days-out\/britains-most-peaceful-places)\n\n[CountryfileBritain's most peaceful places4\/5\/2019Ever feel like really getting away from it all? Here is our travel guide to the most peaceful places in Britain, where you can escape the modern world and recharge your batteries.Show moredays-out walkssecret-places uk-travelRead](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/go-outdoors\/days-out\/britains-most-peaceful-places)\n\n[![Glen Docherty, Scotland]()](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/go-outdoors\/britains-top-10-country-roads)\n\n[CountryfileBritain's most scenic country roads2\/2\/2019Sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the UK's most spectacular scenery from the comfort of your car, van or bike with our pick of Britain's best country roads for driving.Show moredays-out go-outdoorsbritain driving rural-roadsRead](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/astronomy\/go-outdoors\/britains-top-10-country-roads)\n\n[![Footer banner](https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2026\/03\/Brandsite-Footer-Countryfile-1976x250-1.jpg)](https:\/\/www.ourmediashop.com\/bbc-countryfile-magazine-EAST26BRA?utm_source=countryfile.com&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=MD26BRA_MD26BRA&utm_content=display-banner&style=brand)\n\n- [![](https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/12\/facebook.svg)](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CountryfileMagazine\/)Facebook\n- [![](https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/12\/pinterest.svg)](https:\/\/www.pinterest.co.uk\/countryfile\/)Pinterest\n- [![](https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/12\/x-platform.svg)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/Countryfilemag)X-Platform\n- [![](https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/12\/youtube.svg)](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/countryfilemagazine)Youtube\n- [![](https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2025\/12\/instagram.svg)](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/countryfilemagazine\/)Instagram\n\n- Terms & Conditions\n- Privacy Policy\n- Cookies Policy\n- Code of conduct\n- Licensing\n- Manage preferences\n\nThis website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk\n\n© Our Media 2026","attrs_readable_markdown":"**Whether or not life exists beyond Earth is a question that has persisted since humans first began to look up at the night sky.**\n\nNowadays, the scientific pursuit in search of answers is known as SETI: the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. SETI works under the premise that, if intelligent life exists out there, we should use science and technology to try and find it.\n\n## **Do aliens exist?**\nIt’s worth pointing out that, from a neutral, objective stance, there is no hard or even remotely convincing evidence that an advanced alien species has ever visited Earth.\n\nBut does that mean we should rule out life existing beyond Earth altogether?\n\nExoplanet scientists now infer that, for every star we can see in the night sky, there is on average at least one planet in orbit around it.\n\nThere could be at most 400 billion stars in the Milky Way alone, and ours isn't even a big galaxy. Our nearest major galactic neighbour, the [Andromeda Galaxy](https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/astrophotography\/galaxies\/andromeda-galaxy), likely has one trillion stars.\n\nAnd there could be two trillion galaxies in the observable Universe.\n\nThink about how many planets there must be.\n\nSome will be scorching hot gas giants, some freezing cold icy worlds.\n\nMany will be rocky, Earth-mass planets orbiting close enough to their host stars that liquid water could pool on their surface.\n\nThey may have oceans and seas, just the right temperature for life to take hold the way it did on Earth.\n\nIt seems like life elsewhere in the Universe must surely be an inevitability. And yet, there is a distinct lack of any life, anywhere that we have been able to detect.\n\nIt seems inconceivable we could be the only planet to have ever hosted living beings, and yet for the time being at least, we must resign ourselves to that conclusion.\n\n- [Stargazing guide: Britain's dark sky sites, best places to stargaze, plus how to get started](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/how-to\/outdoor-skills\/stargazing-guide-britains-dark-sky-locations-best-places-to-stargaze-plus-how-to-get-started)\n- [How to see the Northern Lights in Britain](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/how-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-britain)\n- [Meteor shower guide: why do meteor showers occur and when is the next meteor shower in the UK?](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/meteor-shower-guide)\n- [Moon names: your month by month guide](https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/moon-names)","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

1 day ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/do-aliens-exist
Last Crawled	2026-04-11 09:11:48 (1 day ago)
First Indexed	2024-12-13 22:55:09 (1 year ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Do aliens exist? \| Countryfile.com
Meta Description	Could aliens exist? Iain Todd takes a look at the evidence...
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Whether or not life exists beyond Earth is a question that has persisted since humans first began to look up at the night sky. Nowadays, the scientific pursuit in search of answers is known as SETI: the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. SETI works under the premise that, if intelligent life exists out there, we should use science and technology to try and find it. Do aliens exist? It’s worth pointing out that, from a neutral, objective stance, there is no hard or even remotely convincing evidence that an advanced alien species has ever visited Earth. But does that mean we should rule out life existing beyond Earth altogether? Exoplanet scientists now infer that, for every star we can see in the night sky, there is on average at least one planet in orbit around it. There could be at most 400 billion stars in the Milky Way alone, and ours isn't even a big galaxy. Our nearest major galactic neighbour, the Andromeda Galaxy , likely has one trillion stars. And there could be two trillion galaxies in the observable Universe. Think about how many planets there must be. Some will be scorching hot gas giants, some freezing cold icy worlds. Many will be rocky, Earth-mass planets orbiting close enough to their host stars that liquid water could pool on their surface. They may have oceans and seas, just the right temperature for life to take hold the way it did on Earth. It seems like life elsewhere in the Universe must surely be an inevitability. And yet, there is a distinct lack of any life, anywhere that we have been able to detect. It seems inconceivable we could be the only planet to have ever hosted living beings, and yet for the time being at least, we must resign ourselves to that conclusion. Stargazing guide: Britain's dark sky sites, best places to stargaze, plus how to get started How to see the Northern Lights in Britain Meteor shower guide: why do meteor showers occur and when is the next meteor shower in the UK? Moon names: your month by month guide
Markdown	- Magazine Subscription Offer - Newsletter - Podcast - Competitions - Contact us - Go outdoors[![]()](https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors) - British wildlife[![]()](https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife) - Animals[![]()](https://www.countryfile.com/animals) - People[![]()](https://www.countryfile.com/people) - How to[![]()](https://www.countryfile.com/how-to) - Magazine[![]()](https://www.countryfile.com/magazine) - TV Show[![]()](https://www.countryfile.com/countryfile-tv-show) - Subscribe - Newsletters Home astronomy Do aliens exist? # Do aliens exist? Could aliens exist? Iain Todd takes a look at the evidence... ![Do aliens exist?]() Getty images [Iain Todd](https://www.countryfile.com/author/iain-todd) Published: November 6, 2024 at 1:46 pm * Whether or not life exists beyond Earth is a question that has persisted since humans first began to look up at the night sky. Nowadays, the scientific pursuit in search of answers is known as SETI: the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. SETI works under the premise that, if intelligent life exists out there, we should use science and technology to try and find it. ## Do aliens exist?** It’s worth pointing out that, from a neutral, objective stance, there is no hard or even remotely convincing evidence that an advanced alien species has ever visited Earth. But does that mean we should rule out life existing beyond Earth altogether? Exoplanet scientists now infer that, for every star we can see in the night sky, there is on average at least one planet in orbit around it. There could be at most 400 billion stars in the Milky Way alone, and ours isn't even a big galaxy. Our nearest major galactic neighbour, the [Andromeda Galaxy](https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/astrophotography/galaxies/andromeda-galaxy), likely has one trillion stars. And there could be two trillion galaxies in the observable Universe. Think about how many planets there must be. Some will be scorching hot gas giants, some freezing cold icy worlds. Many will be rocky, Earth-mass planets orbiting close enough to their host stars that liquid water could pool on their surface. They may have oceans and seas, just the right temperature for life to take hold the way it did on Earth. It seems like life elsewhere in the Universe must surely be an inevitability. And yet, there is a distinct lack of any life, anywhere that we have been able to detect. It seems inconceivable we could be the only planet to have ever hosted living beings, and yet for the time being at least, we must resign ourselves to that conclusion. - [Stargazing guide: Britain's dark sky sites, best places to stargaze, plus how to get started](https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/outdoor-skills/stargazing-guide-britains-dark-sky-locations-best-places-to-stargaze-plus-how-to-get-started) - [How to see the Northern Lights in Britain](https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/how-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-britain) - [Meteor shower guide: why do meteor showers occur and when is the next meteor shower in the UK?](https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/meteor-shower-guide) - [Moon names: your month by month guide](https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/moon-names) [![Author avatar]()](https://www.countryfile.com/author/iain-todd) [Iain Todd]() Iain Todd is a space and astronomy writer ## You may also like [![Stormy cloud over a a moody sky]()](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/photography/britains-weirdest-weather-phenomena) [Countryfile12 weirdest weather phenomena, according to meteorologists10/10/2024We get a lot of weather in Britain. But just when you think you’ve seen it all, you may be lucky enough to witness one of the strange and startling atmospheric phenomena that occur occasionally here.Show morego-outdoors photography apple-newsbritish-storms clouds id-guide weatherRead](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/photography/britains-weirdest-weather-phenomena) [![A hiker and their dog exploring the Scottish Countryside. This image has added grain and styling.]()](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/go-outdoors/best-outdoor-adventures) [Countryfile50 outdoor adventures: Inspiring adventure ideas for the year ahead1/31/2024Get back to nature in 2024 by creating your own personal wish list of outdoor experiences and little adventures. Here are 50 ideas to help you get you started and make the most of your yearShow morecamping-go-outdoors get-active go-outdoors apple-newsRead](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/go-outdoors/best-outdoor-adventures) [![Aerial of the Isles of Scilly, England, United Kingdom]()](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/go-outdoors/days-out/best-islands-to-visit-in-the-uk) [CountryfileBest islands to visit in the UK6/11/2021Discover Britain's most beautiful islands, from the majesty of the Isle of Skye in Scotland and the tranquility of the Channel Islands to Pembrokeshire's famous wildlife-havens of Skomer, Ramsey and Caldey.Show moredays-out go-outdoorsholiday-ideas summer-islands uk-islandsRead](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/go-outdoors/days-out/best-islands-to-visit-in-the-uk) [![BNK574 St Martins; looking towards Tresco; Isles of Scilly]()](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/go-outdoors/days-out/britains-most-peaceful-places) [CountryfileBritain's most peaceful places4/5/2019Ever feel like really getting away from it all? Here is our travel guide to the most peaceful places in Britain, where you can escape the modern world and recharge your batteries.Show moredays-out walkssecret-places uk-travelRead](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/go-outdoors/days-out/britains-most-peaceful-places) [![Glen Docherty, Scotland]()](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/go-outdoors/britains-top-10-country-roads) [CountryfileBritain's most scenic country roads2/2/2019Sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the UK's most spectacular scenery from the comfort of your car, van or bike with our pick of Britain's best country roads for driving.Show moredays-out go-outdoorsbritain driving rural-roadsRead](https://www.countryfile.com/astronomy/go-outdoors/britains-top-10-country-roads) [![Footer banner](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/47/2026/03/Brandsite-Footer-Countryfile-1976x250-1.jpg)](https://www.ourmediashop.com/bbc-countryfile-magazine-EAST26BRA?utm_source=countryfile.com&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_campaign=MD26BRA_MD26BRA&utm_content=display-banner&style=brand) - [![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/47/2025/12/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/CountryfileMagazine/)Facebook - [![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/47/2025/12/pinterest.svg)](https://www.pinterest.co.uk/countryfile/)Pinterest - [![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/47/2025/12/x-platform.svg)](https://twitter.com/Countryfilemag)X-Platform - [![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/47/2025/12/youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/countryfilemagazine)Youtube - [![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/47/2025/12/instagram.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/countryfilemagazine/)Instagram - Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy - Cookies Policy - Code of conduct - Licensing - Manage preferences This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk © Our Media 2026
Readable Markdown	Whether or not life exists beyond Earth is a question that has persisted since humans first began to look up at the night sky. Nowadays, the scientific pursuit in search of answers is known as SETI: the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. SETI works under the premise that, if intelligent life exists out there, we should use science and technology to try and find it. ## Do aliens exist? It’s worth pointing out that, from a neutral, objective stance, there is no hard or even remotely convincing evidence that an advanced alien species has ever visited Earth. But does that mean we should rule out life existing beyond Earth altogether? Exoplanet scientists now infer that, for every star we can see in the night sky, there is on average at least one planet in orbit around it. There could be at most 400 billion stars in the Milky Way alone, and ours isn't even a big galaxy. Our nearest major galactic neighbour, the [Andromeda Galaxy](https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/astrophotography/galaxies/andromeda-galaxy), likely has one trillion stars. And there could be two trillion galaxies in the observable Universe. Think about how many planets there must be. Some will be scorching hot gas giants, some freezing cold icy worlds. Many will be rocky, Earth-mass planets orbiting close enough to their host stars that liquid water could pool on their surface. They may have oceans and seas, just the right temperature for life to take hold the way it did on Earth. It seems like life elsewhere in the Universe must surely be an inevitability. And yet, there is a distinct lack of any life, anywhere that we have been able to detect. It seems inconceivable we could be the only planet to have ever hosted living beings, and yet for the time being at least, we must resign ourselves to that conclusion. - [Stargazing guide: Britain's dark sky sites, best places to stargaze, plus how to get started](https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/outdoor-skills/stargazing-guide-britains-dark-sky-locations-best-places-to-stargaze-plus-how-to-get-started) - [How to see the Northern Lights in Britain](https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/how-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-britain) - [Meteor shower guide: why do meteor showers occur and when is the next meteor shower in the UK?](https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/meteor-shower-guide) - [Moon names: your month by month guide](https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/moon-names)
Shard	60 (laksa)
Root Hash	4751045485701849660
Unparsed URL	com,countryfile!www,/astronomy/do-aliens-exist s443