Astronomers at the University of Cambridge have detected what they claim is the strongest evidence yet for extraterrestrial life on a distant planet. The James Webb Space Telescope spotted chemical signatures similar to those produced by algae on K2-18b, a giant exoplanet 124 light-years away.
According to lead author Nikku Madhusudhan, the signals are indicative of biological activity beyond our solar system. However, researchers caution that it’s too early to confirm definitive proof. “We have to question ourselves” about whether the signal is real and what it means,” he says.
The planet K2-18b is a “Hycean” world, with water and hydrogen-rich atmospheres, similar to Earth’s oceans. The team detected dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, gases that could be produced by life on Earth.
While the findings are intriguing, other researchers have expressed skepticism about the study’s conclusions. Some argue that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, while others suggest that the molecules detected could also be produced without biological activity.
The discovery highlights how much we still have to learn about space and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. With plans to cut NASA’s research budget under consideration, some astronomers worry that this breakthrough may not be followed up on.
NASA’s Kepler mission discovered K2-18b in 2015, and the James Webb telescope’s mid-infrared instrument allowed scientists to analyze the planet’s atmosphere for signs of gases. While the study suggests a “Hycean world with an ocean teeming with life,” more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chemical-hints-on-a-distant-planet-offer-strongest-evidence-yet-for-life-outside-our-solar-system-astronomers-say-180986453