Space telescope discovers extraterrestrial life 120 light years from Earth

But scientists question the existence of alien neighbors

A new study has analyzed the James Webb Space Telescope's potential detection of signs of life on exoplanet K2-18b, located about 120 light-years from Earth. Scientists from the University of California at Riverside consider the conclusion that there are signs of life on a distant planet outside the solar system to be somewhat premature.

Photo: ru.wikipedia.org

K2-18b is often compared to Earth due to its potential oceanic characteristics, its surface containing traces of carbon dioxide and methane but no ammonia, suggesting a planet covered in oceans and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.< /p>

However, one element particularly interested the researchers: the potential presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) — a compound produced by phytoplankton in the Earth's oceans. If confirmed, this finding could indicate active biological life producing DMS at a rate 20 times that of Earth.

K2-18b is two to three times the width of Earth and 8.6 times the mass. In addition, it is located in the star's habitable zone, where it is not too hot or cold to maintain liquid water. Thus, it is theoretically assumed that the exoplanet is an ocean. However, unlike Earth, this exoplanet's atmosphere consists primarily of hydrogen rather than nitrogen.

«This planet receives almost the same amount of solar radiation as Earth. And if we exclude the atmosphere as a factor, then the temperature of K2-18b is close to that of Earth, which is also an ideal situation for searching for life,” — explains study author Shang-Ming Tsai.

These results come from a study conducted by the University of Cambridge using the James Webb Space Telescope. However, re-analysis by scientists at the University of California, Riverside, showed that the findings may be inconclusive.

According to astronomer Shang-Ming Tsai, the DMS signal overlaps with the methane signal, making it difficult to accurately detect with modern instruments of the James Webb telescope. The team is therefore considering using other instruments to continue observing K2-18b.

This turnaround in the search for signs of extraterrestrial life is not a setback, but rather highlights the importance of these preliminary studies paving the way for future discoveries on the Gaisean planets. which are among the most promising for the search for life.

Astrobiologist Eddie Schwieterman stressed that the most promising biosignals on an exoplanet may be different from those on Earth and that unexpected compounds may be found in the hydrogen-rich atmosphere.