Possible Sign of Life Detected on Exoplanet K2-18b

 Possible Sign of Life Detected on Exoplanet K2-18b

Scientists using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have made a potentially groundbreaking discovery on a distant exoplanet. A molecule known as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) has been detected in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet located about 124 light-years away in the constellation Leo.

What makes this finding remarkable is that on Earth, DMS is only produced by microbial life, primarily by marine phytoplankton. There are no known non-biological processes on Earth that generate this molecule, which raises the exciting possibility that life—or something similar to it—may exist on K2-18b.

K2-18b is classified as a Hycean world—a relatively new category of exoplanets that are potentially habitable. These planets are thought to be covered in oceans and have hydrogen-rich atmospheres, providing a potentially life-supporting environment, especially for microbial organisms.

Data from multiple instruments aboard the James Webb telescope have revealed not only DMS but also methane (CH₄), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the planet's atmosphere. These gases, especially when detected together across multiple wavelengths, point to complex chemical processes at work—and possibly even biological activity.

However, the current detection of DMS comes with a 3-sigma confidence level, which in scientific terms means there’s about a 99.7% chance the result is real. While that might sound convincing, scientists generally require a 5-sigma level (99.9999%) to claim a true discovery. This ensures the signal isn’t just a statistical fluke.

As a result, researchers are urging caution. While the evidence is intriguing and worthy of follow-up, it’s too early to confirm life on K2-18b. Future observations will be needed to confirm the presence of DMS and rule out any other non-biological explanations.

Still, this marks one of the most promising leads in the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life. If future data strengthens the signal, it could become the first indirect evidence of life beyond Earth.

Stay tuned—this could be history in the making.


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