Astronomers have found the strongest hint yet that life might exist beyond our solar system.
Using the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team led by the University of Cambridge has discovered chemical signs in the atmosphere of a planet called K2-18b, which orbits its star in the habitable zone—an area where conditions might support life.
The exciting discovery involves two molecules: dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS).
On Earth, these chemicals are only made by living organisms, especially tiny ocean life like phytoplankton.
Finding these same molecules on another planet is a big deal—it could be a sign that life is also present there.
K2-18b is a large planet, more than eight times the mass of Earth, and it lies about 124 light years away in the constellation Leo.
Previous studies already found carbon-based molecules like methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere—another sign that the planet could support life.
These findings also support the idea that K2-18b might be a “Hycean” planet—a world covered by oceans and surrounded by a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
In earlier observations, there was a faint hint of DMS, but it wasn’t clear. So the team looked again using a different instrument on JWST that measures mid-infrared light.
This time, the signal was much clearer and came from a different part of the spectrum, confirming the earlier suspicion.
While both DMS and DMDS can show similar patterns in the data, more observations are needed to tell them apart for sure. Interestingly, the amount of these molecules on K2-18b appears to be thousands of times higher than on Earth.
Still, scientists are careful not to jump to conclusions. It’s possible that some unknown chemical process is producing these molecules without life. To rule that out, the researchers want to keep studying the planet.
They say 16 to 24 more hours of telescope time could help confirm their findings and reach a stronger level of scientific certainty.
Lead researcher Professor Nikku Madhusudhan says this discovery might be the beginning of a new chapter in science. Even though he’s cautious, he believes we may be getting closer to answering one of humanity’s biggest questions: Are we alone in the universe?
With more tools like JWST and future telescopes, we may one day confirm signs of life beyond Earth. If so, this moment might be remembered as the first real glimpse of a living universe.
Source: University of Cambridge..
