Discovery of Potential Extraterrestrial Life on Oceanic Exoplanet K2-18b

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified what could be one of the most promising signs of extraterrestrial life on the exoplanet K2-18b, located 124 light-years away. Using the advanced capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers detected traces of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the planet's atmosphere. These compounds are known biosignatures on Earth, typically produced by marine microorganisms such as phytoplankton.

The research, led by the University of Cambridge and published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggests that K2-18b, an oceanic planet, may host life forms similar to those found in Earth's oceans. The planet is classified as a Hycean world, characterized by vast liquid oceans and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, making it a prime candidate for harboring life.

K2-18b is significantly larger than Earth, with a mass 8.6 times greater and nearly three times its size. It orbits a red dwarf star in the constellation Leo, completing an orbit every 33 days. Despite its proximity to the star, the low temperature of the red dwarf places K2-18b in a habitable zone where liquid water could exist.

This discovery builds on previous findings from 2023, where methane and carbon dioxide were detected in K2-18b's atmosphere, marking the first observation of carbon-based molecules on a planet within a habitable region. The recent confirmation of DMS and DMDS aligns with theoretical predictions about sulfur-based gases on Hycean worlds, strengthening the case for potential life.

Nikku Madhusudhan, the lead scientist, expressed excitement over the findings, noting that the presence of these gases fits the scenario of a Hycean world teeming with life. While there remains a possibility that these substances are produced by unknown chemical processes, the data represents the strongest evidence yet for life beyond Earth.

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