K2–18B Planet: Astronomers (astronomers) have recently predicted a sign of life on a planet, which is located about 120 light years away from the Earth. This planet is K2-18B, which revolves around a red dwarf star located in Leo (Leo) Nakshatra.
This planet, about eight and a half times heavier than the Earth, does not match any planet in our solar system. Scientists consider it to be the planet of “sub-napchun” class-that is, a planet that can have a deep hydrogen-rich atmosphere on the surface, which is spread above the ocean or rocky surface.
The most interesting thing is that K2-18B comes in its star’s “habitability zone”-that is, an area where liquid water can be present. This is the reason why this planet has become an important goal for scientists.
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What did James Webb Telescope see?
Scientists analyzed the atmosphere of the K2-18B with the help of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), when this planet passed in front of its star. During this time, the light of the stars passed through the atmosphere of the planet – and the chemical signs present in this light were caught with a technique called “Transmission Spectroscopy”.
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This technique showed that there are carbon-based molecules such as methane and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the planet’s atmosphere. And the most shocking thing – there are also signs of a compound called dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which are mainly produced by marine microorganisms on Earth.
If DMS is confirmed, this will be the first time as a potential evidence of life when a molecule attached to an organism is seen on a planet outside the Earth.
But there is still a need for caution
However, scientists have advised to take precautions about this discovery:
The discovery of DMS is in the initial stage – its signal is not very strong, and scientists do not consider it a strong proof yet. DMS is not only made from biological sources – DMS has also been found in the comet 67p of our solar system, where there is no life. That is, this compound can also arise from chemical processes. The nature of K2–18B is still a mystery-according to some models this planet can be Hycean-that is, a ocean planet covered with hydrogen environment. But other analysis suggests that this planet may be very hot, high pressure, or even a passive planet covered with lava.
Due to these uncertainties, it is difficult to decide whether the chemical structure here is a sign of life, or just strange but life-textile.
This discovery is a major victory of astronomy
Despite these doubts, this discovery is considered a big jump for science. Now we are not only able to see exoplanets as shining points, but as chemically testing worlds.
This is just the initial data of James Webb Telescope. In future, more advanced telescopes and missions will give us more clear information. And maybe, someday we also get such a planet, whose chemical structure can be explained only through life – not only chemistry.