UK scientists report indications of life beyond Earth
A team from the University of Cambridge has reported a possible indication of life on a distant planet. Researchers have identified a gas in the atmosphere of K2-18 b that, on Earth, is exclusively produced by living organisms. This finding,...
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A team from the University of Cambridge has reported a possible indication of life on a distant planet. Researchers have identified a gas in the atmosphere of K2-18 b that, on Earth, is exclusively produced by living organisms.
This finding, made with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, represents one of the strongest signs yet of life beyond our planet.
K2-18 b is located approximately 124 light-years away in the Leo constellation and is classified as a “hycean” planet, which suggests it may have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and oceans of liquid water. These characteristics make it a strong candidate for harboring life.
The telescope detected two significant gases—dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide—within the planet’s atmosphere. On Earth, both chemicals are generated solely by living organisms, particularly marine microbes such as phytoplankton. Remarkably, the concentrations of these gases on K2-18 b were found to be thousands of times greater than those observed on Earth.
Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan, an astrophysicist at Cambridge University and the lead author of the study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, stated that the implications of this research could be profound.
The report suggests that the findings “provide new independent evidence for the possibility of a biosphere on K2-18 b.” Madhusudhan noted, “What we are finding at this point are hints of possible biological activity outside the solar system.” He further commented, “Frankly, I think this is the closest we have come to seeing a feature that we can attribute to life.”
Madhusudhan elaborated that identifying the chemical signatures of gases that are produced exclusively by biological processes on Earth could indicate the presence of an inhabited alien world. He remarked, “This is a revolutionary moment.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the discovery, the team cautioned that the gases detected might also arise from unknown natural processes. Further observations from telescopes will be necessary to confirm whether living organisms are indeed responsible for the presence of these gases.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
This finding, made with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, represents one of the strongest signs yet of life beyond our planet.
K2-18 b is located approximately 124 light-years away in the Leo constellation and is classified as a “hycean” planet, which suggests it may have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and oceans of liquid water. These characteristics make it a strong candidate for harboring life.
The telescope detected two significant gases—dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide—within the planet’s atmosphere. On Earth, both chemicals are generated solely by living organisms, particularly marine microbes such as phytoplankton. Remarkably, the concentrations of these gases on K2-18 b were found to be thousands of times greater than those observed on Earth.
Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan, an astrophysicist at Cambridge University and the lead author of the study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, stated that the implications of this research could be profound.
The report suggests that the findings “provide new independent evidence for the possibility of a biosphere on K2-18 b.” Madhusudhan noted, “What we are finding at this point are hints of possible biological activity outside the solar system.” He further commented, “Frankly, I think this is the closest we have come to seeing a feature that we can attribute to life.”
Madhusudhan elaborated that identifying the chemical signatures of gases that are produced exclusively by biological processes on Earth could indicate the presence of an inhabited alien world. He remarked, “This is a revolutionary moment.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the discovery, the team cautioned that the gases detected might also arise from unknown natural processes. Further observations from telescopes will be necessary to confirm whether living organisms are indeed responsible for the presence of these gases.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
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