Astronomers have found signs of alien life on a planet beyond our Solar System
a year ago
- #exoplanet
- #biosignature
- #astronomy
- Astronomers detected potential biosignatures (dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide) in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b using the James Webb Space Telescope.
- K2-18b is located in the habitable zone of its star, 124 lightyears away, and is 8.6 times Earth's mass and 2.6 times its size.
- Previous studies in 2023 identified methane and carbon dioxide, suggesting K2-18b could be a 'Hycean' planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and liquid ocean.
- The latest findings reached a 'three-sigma' statistical significance (0.3% chance of error), but further confirmation is needed to meet the 'five-sigma' threshold.
- Dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide on Earth are produced by microbial life, but their high concentrations on K2-18b (thousands of times stronger) raise questions about non-biological sources.
- The team used different instruments (NIRISS, NIRSpec, and MIRI) across multiple studies to analyze K2-18b's atmosphere, strengthening the evidence.
- Researchers emphasize skepticism and further testing to confirm these findings, which could mark a pivotal moment in the search for extraterrestrial life.