Astronomers at the University of Cambridge have found evidence of chemical signs that could indicate life on a distant exoplanet, K2-18b. The discovery was made using data from NASA’s Webb Space Telescope and suggests that dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide – compounds produced primarily by living organisms on Earth – may be present in the atmosphere of this planet.
Located 124 light-years away, K2-18b is a potentially habitable world with an atmosphere similar to that of our own. However, scientists caution that more research is needed to confirm their findings and rule out errors or alternative explanations.
Lead researcher Nikku Madhusudhan noted that while the discovery is intriguing, further investigation is necessary to determine whether these compounds are indeed signs of life. “It’s the strongest sign to date of any possibility of biological activity outside our solar system,” he said.
Independent scientist David Clements emphasized the complexity of planetary atmospheres and the limitations of current data. “This is really interesting stuff, but it’s just a step in the right direction – not yet a clear detection.”
The discovery marks an exciting development in the search for life beyond Earth, with thousands more exoplanets awaiting study. The Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, has already made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe, and future research will help to shed light on this intriguing finding.
Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/04/astronomers-find-strongest-sign-of-life-outside-our-solar-system.html