Scientists have discovered “the strongest evidence to date” of possible life beyond our solar system.
An international team used the James Webb Space Telescope to look at nearby planet K2-18b, around 120 light years away from Earth.
The scientists say they have detected evidence of specific gases on this planet which are only produced by living organisms.
Details
K2-18, discovered in 2015, is nine times heavier and two-and-a-half times larger than Earth.
It orbits in the ‘habitable zone’, where liquid water can exist on a planet’s surface. Scientists say they have detected chemical characteristics of gases in K2-18b’s atmosphere that are only produced by biological processes on Earth.
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The gases involved are generated on Earth by small living organisms, like microbial life such as algae.
Meaning
The study’s lead author, astrophysicist Nikku Madhusudhan, told the BBC the possible presence of the gas is “the strongest evidence yet there is possibly life out there”.
Madhusudhan said: “We can confirm this signal within one to two years.” However, more observation is needed to confirm the findings.
Dr Joanna Barstow from The Open University told TDA: “There is a huge amount we still don’t know about [K2-18b]... we should be cautious of our interpretation”.
