EVER wondered what the Earth looks like to aliens across the Galaxy? Then
take a look at the light bouncing off the Moon.
Two groups of astronomers, led by Jean Schneider at the Paris Observatory and
Nick Woolf of the University of Arizona Steward Observatory, used telescopes on
the ground to look at light reflected from Earth onto dark regions of the Moon.
The Moon is far enough away to see a large portion of the Earth, giving a good
view of the planet鈥檚 total light.
They found that the Earth has a blue glow, as well as a peak in the infrared
part of the spectrum that is characteristic of vegetation. Looking for these
colours on distant planets, they say, will help spot ones that support similar
life.
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