An astrobiology discovery will be announced by NASA, that could shed light on the possible existence of extraterrestrial life.

It's planning a news conference in Washington, at 2 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 2.

However, not everyone believes NASA has cracked the search for other life forms.

Phil Plait, at Discover magazine, says"

“Of course, the speculation is that NASA will announce the discovery for life.

"Maybe. I can’t rule that out, but it seems really unlikely; I don’t think they would announce it in this way.

"It would’ve been under tighter wraps, or one thing.

"It’s more likely they’ve found a new way life can exist and that evidence for these conditions exists on other worlds.

"But without more info, I won’t speculate any farther than that.”

Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe.