"... again not something to focus on since its far in the future and you're 
not necessarily going to be involved with it.  But the techniques you're
using (pioneering has a nice ring to it) are somewhat likely to be the way
we first identify extra-terrestrial life.  That is high spectral-res, high
S/N optical spectroscopy finding signatures of life (most likely a
non-equilibrium oxygen-rich atmosphere).  Perhaps high-spatial res will
play a role also, but I would guess the most likely scenario is a
transiting planet and finding miniscule variations in line strengths
between eclipse and non-eclipse.  It shouldn't be hard drawing a parallel
between digging stellar parameters out of star lost in the glare of an
accretion disk and a little planet lost in the glare of star.  Just
practice saying this with a straight face a few times and you'll get the
hang of it."
     - Richard Webb, giving me sound advice, just before he left astronomy
     to become a professional poker player.