Are we alone? Signs of life are found on a planet 120 light-years away|
We all have thought at some point or the other – can there be life anywhere other than Earth? The methane of Mars or the phosphine gas in the clouds of Venus have excited us before, but now a big discovery has been made – and this time the focus is on a distant planet K2-18b.
What is K2-18b?
This is an exoplanet which is 120 light-years away from Earth. This planet was discovered in 2015 using data from the Kepler Space Telescope. This planet is a “sub-Neptune” category – neither completely rocky like Earth, nor a complete gas giant like Jupiter.
Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan of Cambridge University and his team say that K2-18b could be a “Hycean” planet – that is, a planet with a hydrogen-filled atmosphere and oceans.
Dimethyl Sulfide: Signal of Life?
This study has revealed that a special molecule has been found in the atmosphere of K2-18b – Dimethyl Sulfide. On Earth, this is produced only by living organisms, such as marine algae. Therefore, this molecule is considered a biosignature – that is, a chemical that can signal the presence of life. This molecule was first noticed in 2023 with the help of James Webb Space Telescope.
Reactions of Scientists
Dr. Madhusudhan said: “We are not making premature claims that there is life there, but according to the date till now, this could be the strongest indication that there is an ocean and life on K2-18b.”
But other researchers are still a little cautious: “It’s a hint, not proof.” says Johns Hopkins scientist Stephen Schmidt. “We are not sure that this planet is really habitable,” some other scientists believe.
More research is needed
Scientists believe K2-18b is not an ocean world, but could be a scorching hot planet – with magma and a dense hydrogen atmosphere. Lab experiments are needed to check how DMS behaves under different conditions. And observations are also needed from the Webb Telescope and future telescopes.
Fear of Budge cuts
One concern is that if NASA’s science budget is cut, as some reports are saying, such research could stop. Astrobiologist Joshua Krissansen Totton warned that if the budget is halved, “the search for life elsewhere would basically stop.”
