SIGNS OF LIFE DETECTED ON PLANET 120 LIGHT YEARS AWAY
Building on earlier fascinating findings, research has uncovered the "strongest signs yet of biological 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 James Webb orbit observatory (JWST), "the largest, most powerful, and most complicated observatory ever deployed into orbit," provided data for the study, which was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters under the title New Constraints on DMS and DMDS in the Atmosphere of K2-18b from JWST MIRI. The study looked at the atmosphere surrounding K2-18b - an exoplanet 8.6 times as big as Earth, lying roughly 120 light-years away from us and orbiting the cool dwarf star K2-18.
So, what do the findings on exoplanet K2-18b actually mean?
According to the University of Cambridge, DMS and DMDS are "only created by life" on Earth, mainly microbiological life such as marine phytoplankton."
The paper goes on to say: "The results provide the strongest evidence yet that life may exist on a planet outside our solar system, even though an undiscovered chemical mechanism may be the source of these compounds in K2-18b’s atmosphere." There is just a "0.3 percent probability" that the chemical fingerprints occurred by chance, according to observations. However, 'to reach the accepted classification for scientific discovery,' there would have to be below a 0.00006 percent probability that they occurred by chance.
So, what's next?
The new study appears to confirm predictions that there may be "a livable 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 latest 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 identified.
"Previous theoretical work had suggested that significant levels of sulfur-based gases like DMS and DMDS are feasible on Hycean worlds," said Professor Nikku Madhusudhan of Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy, who led the study.
"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." He added.
According to reports, the researchers are already preparing a 16–24 hour follow-up observation period with the James Webb Space Telescope. To categorise 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 made the following decision: "In decades, we might reflect on this moment and realise that it marked the approach of the living cosmos. "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."