NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery that could be the closest we’ve come to proving life exists beyond Earth. The telescope has unveiled an exoplanet called K2-18 b, which is significantly larger than Earth and orbits a small, cool star in the constellation Leo. This planet has a unique atmosphere with signs of gas only produced by living organisms on our planet.
K2-18 b is a sub-Neptune-class exoplanet with 2.6 times Earth’s radius and 8.6 times its mass. It was first identified by NASA’s K2 mission in 2015 and has become a focal point of atmospheric studies due to its size and position in the habitable zone.
Recent investigations using the James Webb Space Telescope have provided evidence of carbon-bearing molecules, which are indicative of active processes on the planet. The presence of methane, carbon dioxide, and potentially dimethyl sulfide (DMS) suggests that K2-18 b could be a Hycean exoplanet – a type of planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and possible water-covered surface.
However, the planet’s size poses challenges to its habitability. It likely has a mantle of high-pressure ice beneath its atmosphere and ocean, which could make it too hot for life as we know it.
The James Webb Space Telescope’s advanced capabilities have allowed scientists to analyze K2-18 b’s atmosphere in unprecedented detail. The telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) will be used in future observations to confirm the presence of DMS and provide further data on the planet’s environment.
This discovery brings us closer to answering humanity’s profound question: Are we alone in the cosmos? With K2-18 b as a beacon of possibility, the universe has never seemed more full of potential.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2024/12/nasa-discovers-massive-planet-bigger-than-earth-with-gas-tied-exclusively-to-living-organisms