The planet is considered a “Sea-coming world”, an exoplanet with abundant hydrogen and vast oceans that can support life. This finding stands out for detection of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). These are compounds produced only by organisms.
Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge led the study, explaining: “Given our knowledge of the planet, it’s a sea world full of life, and it’s the best scenario for the data we have.”
These molecules are discovered using multiple instruments on JWST and the signals are confirmed independently, making the discovery more stable.
K2-18b is about 2.6 times wide and 8.6 times heavier than the earth. It circles a small red dwarf star in the so-called “residential area” and conditions may allow liquid water.
Despite the exciting results, scientists are urging caution. Other researchers believe that non-survival processes may also be behind DMS and DMDS signals. More observation time may help confirm whether life is truly behind chemical fingerprints. As Professor Madhusudhan said: “This may be the tipping point, and suddenly, whether we are alone in the universe is the basic question we are capable of answering.”
