Thanks for all your interest. My thoughts stemmed from reading ‘An astrobiology strategy for the search for life in the universe’ http:/nap.edu/25252. Mark’s ideas are most likely to bear fruit so that is probably the best way to go. Still think the money will move from exoplanet discovery to the search for life elsewhere in the not too distant future as far as the pros are concerned. So when us old guys are up there amongst the stars the young guns will be getting all the glory that goes with discoveries. Enthusiasm trumps scepticism every time!!!
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Supporting amateur astronomers since 1890