Comment Re:now if we only could figure out (Score 1) 124
The existence of life can in principle be inferred from the composition of a planets' atmosphere, which could be determined spectroscopically. E.g. earths' atmosphere is oxygen-rich, which would not be possible without life (oxygen is agressive, and would disappear quickly by forming compounds with surface minerals, if it wasn't replenished by photosynthesis).
There is research on ways to do this, and on the kind of instruments that would be required. However, this research focuses on life as we know it, which requires water. 'Hot Jupiters' like this planet are much too hot, and most scientists would not seriously consider them candidates for any kind of life.