Off The Record
Breakthrough Discovery As Scientists Detect Possible Signs Of Life Just 120 Light Years Away
A study that builds on earlier intriguing observations has found the’strongest signs yet of life activity outside’ our solar system.
The University of Cambridge has spearheaded a study focusing on the atmosphere of a planet named K2-18b, while everyone is giddy at Katy Perry’s space trip.
Astronomers are said to “remain cautious” about their findings, but why?
The study – titled New Constraints on DMS and DMDS in the Atmosphere of K2-18b from JWST MIRI and published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters – used data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), ‘ the largest, most powerful and most complex telescope ever launched into space’.
The study examined the atmosphere of K2-18b, an exoplanet orbiting the cold dwarf star K2-18 that is around 120 light-years away from Earth and 8.6 times as massive as Earth.
They found “chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of the exoplanet” after analyzing the data.
So, what do the findings on exoplanet K2-18b actually mean?
According to the University of Cambridge, DMS and DMDS are “only produced by life” on Earth, “primarily microbial life such as marine phytoplankton.”
The research continues: “While an unknown chemical process may be the source of these molecules in K2-18b’s atmosphere, the results are the strongest evidence yet that life may exist on a planet outside our solar system.”
There is just a “0.3 percent probability” that the chemical fingerprints “occurred by chance,” according to observations.
However, they would need to “be below a 0.00006 percent probability they occurred by chance” in order to “reach the accepted classification for scientific discovery.”
What comes next, then?
The new study appears to confirm predictions that there may be “a habitable ocean-covered world underneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere,” as previous investigations of the planet have shown carbon-based compounds in the exoplanet’s habitable zone of the atmosphere.
The new study’s DMS signal ‘came through loud and clear’, whereas the previous observation was a little less definite about whether or not DMS was being detected.
Professor Nikku Madhusudhan from Cambridge’s Institude of Astronomy – who led the research – said: “Earlier theoretical work had predicted that high levels of sulfur-based gases like DMS and DMDS are possible on Hycean worlds.”
“And now we’ve observed it, in line with what was predicted. Given everything we know about this planet, a Hycean world with an ocean that is teeming with life is the scenario that best fits the data we have.”
According to reports, the researchers are already preparing a 16–24 hour follow-up observation period with the James Webb Space Telescope.
In order to categorize the results as a “scientific discovery,” they expect that this will “help them reach the all-important” percentage of less than 0.00006 percent.
Madhusudhan resolved, “Decades from now, we may look back at this point in time and recognise it was when the living universe came within reach.”
“This could be the tipping point, where suddenly the fundamental question of whether we’re alone in the universe is one we’re capable of answering.”
Now Trending:
- Astronomers believe they found signs of the earliest stars in universe
- Elon Musk Talks About Why Humans Require A “Second Planet” And Claims It Is “Just A Matter Of Time”
- The Earth Just Started Spinning Faster Than Ever Before And Scientists Are Gravely Concerned
Please SHARE this story with Family and Friends and let us know what you think!
