A discovery by astronomers could prove that there is life on a distant planet

The astronomers April 26 observation can finally prove that alien life can exist on a distant planet. The significant discovery was made of a distant planet twice the size of Earth, named K2-18b.

Is there proof that there is life on a distant planet?

Astronomers use a space telescope to examine the planet 120 light-years away from Earth. They’ve been watching the celestial body for some time, and last year they thought they saw a gas called dimethyl sulfide in its atmosphere, a compound that is only “produced by life,” meaning it forms in places where there is evidence of life.

In order to confirm this discovery, the James Webb Space Telescope was set up on Friday to observe it for hours.

THE science and space however, his fans will have to wait several more months for the results to be verified and published.

It was a significant moment

Dr Nikku Madhusudhanan astrophysicist at the University of Cambridge who leads studies of the planet K2-18b, has already called the discovery a significant moment because he believes this supports the theory that there is ocean water beneath the hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

All this “Hicean to the world” called it, which is a relatively new term a to rocky planets with hydrogen-rich atmospheres and oceans. He told the Times that if this can be detected on the planet, it is essentially a strong signal that the planet is habitable.

Although K2-18b was already discovered in 2015, the presence of water vapor in its atmosphere was only reported in 2019. Then, last year, the James Webb space telescope detected carbon dioxide and methane in its atmosphere, as well as a lack of ammonia.

THE initial observations possible did the mentioned the possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide, which is produced only by life on Earth. In the Earth’s atmosphere, most of this is emitted by phytoplankton living in the marine environment, which indicates a similar form of life on the distant planet.

What can create the special gas?

Scientists cannot imagine a natural geological or chemical process that could produce this without living organisms.

Dr. Madhusudhan says the find was a shock to them, but why these are initial observations, you can only say with 50 percent certainty that this molecule is on K2-18b. He added that he had sleepless nights for a week after the discovery.

It takes months to get a definite answer

The analysis of the eight-hour observation carried out by the James Webb space telescope on April 26 may provide a definitive answer to the question, but experts will have to wait months for that.

NASA 10 billion dollars its observatory will be able to analyze the chemical composition of the distant planet by capturing the light of the host star as it passes through the planet’s atmosphere on its way to Earth.

Although Hycean worlds are predicted to be covered in water, researchers say it is possible that the ocean discovered on planet K2-18b is too hot to be habitable, but the final answer remains to be seen.