A new study published by researchers at the University of California, Riverside suggests that methyl halides, a compound produced by bacteria, algae, and plants on Earth, could be the key to detecting life on exoplanets. The discovery is significant because these gases are not present in significant amounts in Earth’s atmosphere, making them ideal targets for detection using current telescopes.
The researchers propose that searching for methyl halides on “Hycean” planets, ocean-covered worlds with atmospheres rich in water vapor and organic compounds, could be the most promising strategy for detecting life. The study highlights the potential of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to detect these gases, which could reveal microbial life on exoplanets.
According to the researchers, methyl halides have strong infrared signatures and can accumulate in hydrogen-rich atmospheres, making them an excellent target for JWST. While the telescope is currently unable to directly observe Earth-sized planets due to their size and dimness, it can detect gases that may indicate habitable conditions.
Future missions like the proposed European LIFE mission could make the search even easier, potentially confirming the presence of biosignatures in less than a day. The discovery of life on exoplanets remains one of the most exciting and complex challenges in science today, and advancements in telescope technology and research are bringing us closer to answering this question: “Are we alone in the Universe?”
Source: https://www.universetoday.com/articles/astronomers-think-theyve-found-a-reliable-biosignature-but-theres-a-catch