The search for life in other planets or an inhabitable place outside Earth has been one of the missions of astronomers studying the vast expanse of our solar system and beyond. Exoplanet K2-18b has been on their radar since 2015, but it wasn't until recently when NASA's James Webb Space Telescope finally observed and measured the atmosphere of the exoplanet.
The new study found a lot of carbon dioxide and methane. This is interesting as this is like what is found on Earth, Mars, and Venus in our solar system—rather than Neptune.
However, it also found a small amount of dimethyl sulfide. Dimethyl sulfide is an interesting molecule, made up of carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur.
On Earth, it’s generally a bit smelly. But it’s also closely linked to life.
The only process we know that creates dimethyl sulfide on our planet is life. In particular, marine life and plankton emit it in the form of flatulence.
Is this potentially one such place which can be inhabited by future humans? It's tough to say, but scientists are hopeful that the presence of dimethyl sulfide could be a sign. -via Singularity Hub
(Image credit: ESA/Hubble, CC by 4.0/Wikimedia Commons)
Newest 1 Comment
nah i stay away from exoplanets
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)