The discovery of potential signs of alien life on the exoplanet K2-18b has sparked debate among scientists. A study published by a team from the University of Cambridge using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggested that the planet’s atmosphere may contain biosignatures, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which are produced only by microscopic life-forms like phytoplankton on Earth.
However, other scientists have expressed skepticism about the findings. “The statistical significance of the detection is marginal,” said Eddie Schwieterman, an assistant professor of astrobiology at the University of California, Riverside. While the team’s study reported a 0.3% probability that the signals occurred by chance, it fell short of the required five-sigma level for a statistically significant scientific discovery.
The JWST will allow researchers to observe K2-18b as it transits its star, providing more data on the planet’s atmosphere. Budgeting more time to watch these transits is expected to be “trivial” for the telescope. Future steps will involve proving that some unknown natural process isn’t producing DMS instead of life signatures, and then examining planets similar to K2-18b to see if DMS is a common signature around the cosmos.
For now, outside researchers have attempted to re-create the findings using their own data models, but came up short. The complete set of MIRI data on which the team based their discovery will become publicly available April 27, allowing other scientists to formulate peer-reviewed responses and potentially shed more light on the matter.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/extraterrestrial-life/did-the-james-webb-telescope-really-find-evidence-of-alien-life-heres-the-truth-about-exoplanet-k2-18b