Scientists in the UK may have discovered the strongest proof of life of life outside our solar system.
The discovery, involving the distant exoplanet K2-18B, was announced on Tuesday during a press conference at the University of Cambridge.
The research, led by Professor Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge, showed that NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope detected The chemical signatures of Dimethylsulfide (DMS) and Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDs) in the atmosphere of K2-18B.
“This is a very important molecule, because DMS here on earth is unique produced by life – micro -organisms in the ocean, such as algae, phytoplankton,” said Madhusudhan in a video presentation.
“Theoretical studies had predicted in the past two decades that molecules such as DMS would be robust biomarkers on exoplanetary systems, including planets with hydrogen -rich atmospheres.”
The discovery of K2-18B is part of space agencies and the continuous exploration of the exploring planets through the academic world. In July, the perseverance rover discovered a mars -rock called ‘Cheyava Falls“In the Jezero crater.
The rock contains organic molecules and offers new instructions in the current hunt for the past or current life beyond the earth.
K2-18B runs a red dwarf star at about 124 light years, about 729 trillion miles from the earth. The planet has about 8.6 times the mass of the earth and a radius about 2.6 times larger.
It lies in the habitable zone of its star area where an earth-like planet could possibly support life.
Reading the plates
Scientists used transit spectroscopy to study the atmosphere of K2-18B. While the planet passes in front of his star, some star light filters through its atmosphere. By analyzing which wavelengths are absorbed, scientists can determine the composition of the atmosphere.
“A part of the star light goes through the atmosphere of the planet before he reaches the telescope, and the molecules in that atmosphere absorb certain wavelengths,” Madhusudhan explained. “By looking at a differential measurement when the planet is in front of the star or when it is not, you can extract how much absorption happens in the atmosphere of the planet.”
In 2023, researchers who used the James Webb Space Telescope reported a preliminary detection of Dimethylsulfide in the atmosphere of K2-18B, while observing in the one up to five micron wavelength length of the infrared spectrum used to detect heat and molecular signs.
Although researchers have faith in their “three Sigma” detection of DMs on K2-18B-a statistical trust that indicates a strong result-bred Madhusudhan the need for additional observations to confirm the finding.
“This is one of the most in -depth moments for me personally and as an astronomer, because we might see elsewhere in the history of our kind of life elsewhere,” he said.
However, Madhusudhan acknowledged that the signal could result from a previously unknown chemical process that is not related to life. Yet Madhusudhan remained optimistic about the finding and implications for extraterrestrial life.
“Even that is a monumental breakthrough, because we see new chemical processes on a planet that can be habitable – something that we have shown is possible in theoretical studies,” he said.
“In my opinion, this is a transformational moment – not only for planetary science, not only for astronomy, but for finding our place in the universe as a species.”
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair
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