In pondering the larger cosmic picture, Warwick said he sees a starshade or something similar revealing that Earth life is not alone in the universe. Scientists are testing " shades " , flying screens that block out starlight enabling orbiting telescopes to process only dimmer planetary light . Following night - time tests at the McMath - Pierce Solar Telescope at Kings Peak National Observatory in Arizona , the team hopes to fly a starshade with Nasa 's Wide - field Infrared Survey Telescope , which is set to launch in 2024 or 2020 . It 's believed a starshade could allow telescopes to accumulate more precise data on the " habitable zones " of stars , where planets with liquid water might exist .
Scientists are testing " shades " , flying screens that block out starlight enabling orbiting telescopes to process only dimmer planetary light . Following night - time tests at the McMath - Pierce Solar Telescope at Kings Peak National Observatory in Arizona , the team hopes to fly a starshade with Nasa 's Wide - field Infrared Survey Telescope , which is set to launch in 2024 or 2020 . It 's believed a starshade could allow telescopes to accumulate more precise data on the " habitable zones " of stars , where planets with liquid water might exist .