While it's always exciting to consider the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life, there's no way to say for certain whether 2012 will be the year we make contact or discover concrete evidence of life beyond Earth. Scientists are constantly searching for signs of extraterrestrial life, but there are many factors involved in the likelihood of making such a discovery.

Here are a few considerations:

1. The vastness of space: The universe is incredibly large, and the chances of finding life on another planet depend on the prevalence of habitable planets and the conditions necessary for life to arise and evolve. While recent discoveries of exoplanets have increased the potential for finding life outside our solar system, the sheer scale of space makes it difficult to predict exactly when we might make contact.

2. Limitations of technology: Our current technological capabilities play a crucial role in our ability to detect and communicate with extraterrestrial life. While we've made significant advancements in telescopes, space probes, and communication systems, the distances involved and the potential need for advanced civilizations make it challenging to establish contact. Breakthroughs in technology could change this equation, but it's hard to predict when such breakthroughs might occur.

3. Complexity of life: The emergence of life and the development of intelligent civilizations may be rare occurrences in the universe. Even if habitable planets exist, the probability of finding life at a comparable level of complexity to ours remains uncertain. The search for extraterrestrial life requires a combination of scientific knowledge, exploration, and luck, and it's difficult to pinpoint a specific timeline for making a major discovery.

It's important to note that while we may not know exactly when or if we'll find extraterrestrial life, the search continues and every new piece of information we uncover brings us closer to understanding our place in the vast universe.