Astronomers from the University of Cambridge have made a significant discovery that could confirm the presence of life on the distant exoplanet K2-18b. The team used data from the James Webb Space Telescope to detect chemical traces of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), which are known to be produced by living organisms such as phytoplankton in seawater.
The findings, published this week in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggest that K2-18b may have an ocean on its surface, which is a significant discovery. However, not everyone agrees that the team’s results prove the existence of life on the exoplanet.
Dr. Corey S. Powell, a science writer, expressed concerns about the findings, stating that they might be attributed to non-biological sources such as atmospheric chemistry.
K2-18b is 124 light-years away and larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. The discovery of potential life on this exoplanet increases the chances of finding habitable planets like Earth with suitable temperatures and atmospheres for human-like lifeforms.
Lead scientist Christopher Glein from the Southwest Research Institute emphasized that while the findings are intriguing, they need further study to confirm their validity. He cautioned that the detection is pushing the limits of the James Webb Space Telescope’s capabilities and urged the need for complementary research assessing abiotic background on K2-18b and similar planets.
Glein stated that multiple lines of evidence are needed to prove the existence of life, comparing it to a court case where independent evidence is required to convict. He also mentioned that finding evidence of life is just the first step in the process.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/science/space/astronomers-say-theres-an-increased-possibility-of-life-on-this-distant-planet