Are aliens really there? Many scientists say yes

Numerous astronomers no longer doubt the existence of extraterrestrial life. Instead, they are wondering, "When will we find it?"

Many people are hopeful that we will find evidence of life on another planet during our lifetimes—possibly within the next few years.

And a scientist in charge of a Jupiter mission even goes so far as to declare it would be "surprising" if there wasn't life on one of the ice moons of the planet.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) of NASA has found intriguing signs of life on a planet outside of our solar system, and it is looking at a great number of other planets.

Numerous ongoing or upcoming missions herald a new race for the greatest scientific discovery in history.

The first hint of such a discovery came earlier this month with the potential presence of a gas, which is created by basic marine creatures on Earth, in the atmosphere of the 120 light-years-away planet K2-18b.

The planet sits in what astronomers refer to as "the Goldilocks zone"—the ideal distance from its star—where the surface temperature is just right for liquid water to exist, which is necessary for supporting life.

The team anticipates finding out in a year whether the intriguing clues they have received are real.

Many missions that are either in progress or soon to launch signal a new race in space for the greatest scientific discovery ever.

The first flicker of such a discovery occurred earlier this month with the possible sign of a gas that is produced by simple marine organisms on Earth in the atmosphere of a planet named K2-18b, which is 120 light years away.

The planet is in what astronomer's call 'the Goldilocks zone' - the right distance away from its star for the surface temperature to be neither too hot, nor too cold, but just right for there to be liquid water, which is essential to support life.