DHAKA: Life may exist on at least half a dozen other worlds, besides the Earth, and it may just take us another two decades to discover it, according to scientists.

Scientists are searching for life beyond Earth using three different methods, Seth Shostak, senior astronomer with the California-based SETI Institute, said during a hearing before the house science and technology committee.

The first method involves the search for microbial extraterrestrials or their remains.

Most efforts, so far, to find alien life have focused on Mars and potential life-bearing moons in the outer solar system, “Discovery News” reported, says The Times of India.

“At least a half-dozen other worlds (besides Earth) that might have life are in our solar system. The chances of finding it, I think, are good, and if that happens, it’ll happen in the next 20 years, depending on the financing,” Shostak said.

A second scientific initiative scans the atmospheres of distant planets to search for telltale signs of oxygen or methane, which, on Earth, are mostly associated with life.

Shostak said these investigations could likewise yield results in the next 20 years.

BDST:  2120 HRS, May 25, 2014