"Exoplanet Revolution: Impact on Science Fiction"

A new study from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland explores how science fiction (sf) has changed to reflect real exoplanet discoveries since 1995, when the first known exoplanet around a sun-like star was found. The study analyzed 142 fictional planets and found that modern sf is more pessimistic about the possibility of alien civilizations, with fewer Earth-like worlds and established non-native humans in new fiction. The analysis suggests that sf broadly recognizes the science underlying habitability, making it a useful tool for science communication, although it should be approached with caution due to its narrative bias.