Signs of life spotted on a distant planet by the James Webb Telescope

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NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered signs of life on a distant planet. BBC reports this surprising announcement.

A molecule of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) has been detected on a planet located 120 light-years from our planet. However, DMS is only produced by living organisms, on Earth at least. The researchers also observed traces of methane and carbon dioxide₂ In its atmosphere, which leads them to believe that the planet named “K2-18b” will have an ocean of water.

“Under shock”

Nico Madhusudan, a professor at the University of Cambridge and director of the research, says: “My team and I were shocked when we learned the results.” He continues: “On Earth, dimethyl sulfide is produced only by living organisms. Most of it is emitted into the Earth’s atmosphere by phytoplankton in marine environments.

However, extensive research is needed to confirm this discovery, and its results are expected to appear within a year: “If this is true, it will be a major breakthrough. That’s why I want to do things right before I say something very important.”

K2-18b meets all conditions necessary to support life

This warning reflects the events of 2020: scientists announced to the general public The presence of a phosphine moleculeIt appears that living organisms produced it in the clouds of Venus before Challenge it a year later.

A planet’s ability to support life depends on its temperature and the presence of carbon and possibly liquid water. Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope seem to indicate that K2-18b meets all of these conditions. But just because a planet can support living things doesn’t mean it necessarily does.

Robert Massey, deputy director of the Royal Astronomical Society in London, remains enthusiastic: “It’s a small step forward, but it’s one step closer to the day when we’ll be able to answer this big question: Are we alone in the universe or not?”