An Earth-like planet? Tantalising proof of life on THIS exoplanet has scientists in 'shock'

Scientists have spotted a gas "only produced by life" on a distant planet that could ultimately prove that Earth is not the only planter in this vast cosmos to host life. On Friday, NASA's James Webb Telescope went on a mission towards K2-18b to probe the most tantalising hints of alien life ever.

The gas dimethyl sulphide (DMS) found on K2-18b has only one source on our planet - living beings. NASA explained that it mainly comes from "phytoplankton in marine environments".

Dr Nikku Madhusudhan, an astrophysicist from the University of Cambridge leading the study, recalled when his analysis showed a possible hint of DMS in the planet's atmosphere last year. He told The Times, "It was a real shock, I had sleepless nights for a week. That week, I didn't even muster the courage to break it to my team."

K2-18b Specifications

Discovered: 2015

Star: K2-18

Orbital Duration: 33 days

Constellation: Leo

Mass: 8.6 times that of Earth

Radius: 2.6 times that of Earth

While the researchers could say with over 50 per cent confidence that DMS was present based on the data sent by the James Webb Telescope last year, Madhusudhan said it was far from "conclusive evidence." He is "super cautious" as any previous claims of discovery of alien life, like fossils on Martian meteorites and phosphine gas in Venetian clouds, have been debunked or challenged by studies offering more plausible explanations.

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What's Next?

Last year, NASA revealed there was the presence of "carbon-bearing molecules including methane and carbon dioxide" on K2-18b. These findings come after the previous discovery that the planet could be a "Hycean exoplanet," meaning it has the potential to possess a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and an ocean-covered surface.

Madhusudhan said, "Our findings underscore the importance of considering diverse habitable environments in the search for life elsewhere. Traditionally, the search for life on exoplanets has focused primarily on smaller rocky planets, but the larger Hycean worlds are significantly more conducive to atmospheric observations."

However, space enthusiasts will have to wait four to six months for the results while the "theoretical work" on the source of DMS continues. Madhusudhan said, "If we do detect DMS [on K2-18b] it does put it basically at the top for potential signs of habitability."

"If you confirm the presence of life, whether or not through DMS, on any exoplanet that’s going to revolutionise scientific history," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)