K2-18b: Scientists discover potential signs of life on distant planets – Breakthrough discovery could change everything

Researchers have made potential landmark progress in pursuing alien life. Researchers have found evidence of molecules that can support life on a planet of a circular star. The planet is designated K2-18b and is 124 light-years in the middle of the Leo sign. It is said to be located in the Goldilocks area. In this area, the atmosphere is neither too hot nor too cold to exist in liquid form.

Professor Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge led the entire research team. They used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study the atmosphere of the Earth. According to their research, the planet is filled with gases such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dithiodisulfide (DMDS).

These two gases are said to be produced in organisms, namely marine phytoplankton and bacteria.

Scientists say distant planet K2-18B may be full of life

As cited in the BBC report, Professor Madhusudhan pointed out that the presence of these gases is the strongest evidence. He noted that if these gases have biological sources, then planet K2-18b could be full of life.

The report notes that the planet has a mass of more than eight times, about 2.5 times its size. The report notes that it is a “seawater” world – a planet larger than Earth, whose atmosphere is filled with hydrogen and may be the global ocean below.

It has been reported that the presence of DMS and DMD is significantly stronger than previous observations. This prompted the team to suggest that more concentrated telescopes will last nearly 16 to 24 hours, which may result in decisive confirmation in the coming years.

Experts urge caution, saying confirmation of more data needed

These findings sparked a heated debate among astronomers. The current results only meet the confidence of “three Sigmas”, which is about 99.7% certainty. However, the scientific community needs a “five Sigma” threshold or 99.9999% certainty to confirm the discovery. According to reports, other experts raised concerns about the composition and temperature of the planet. Some of them even think that K2-18B may be a mini-gas giant without a solid surface or the Ocean World is too hot to host life, and it may be the lava sea rather than water.

Professor Catherine Heymans, a Scottish astronomer, said that even if the gas is confirmed, it cannot guarantee its biological source. According to reports, Professor Heyman said that many strange things have happened in the universe, which is why other geological activities may produce these molecules.

Despite caution, Professor Madhusudhan remains optimistic. He told the media that this could be a turning point, the basic question of whether we can answer in the universe alone.

FAQ

Question 1: What makes K2-18B a potential candidate for life?
It is located in the habitable area of ​​its stars and shows signs of molecules such as DMS and DMD linked to life on Earth.

Question 2: Can we say that life must exist on K2-18b?
not yet. Scientists need more data to exclude abiotic sources of these gases and to achieve higher levels of certainty.