Indian-origin scientist leads study that detects possible life on distant planet
With the discovery of a molecule on a distant planet that, at least on Earth, can only be created by living things, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) may have stumbled onto preliminary evidence of extraterrestrial life.

The molecule in question, dimethyl sulphide (DMS), as well as other carbon-bearing molecules like methane and carbon dioxide, were found in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b, indicating the presence of an ocean of water as well as the tantalising possibility of extraterrestrial life. K2-18 b is 2.6 times the radius of Earth, orbits a cool dwarf star in the constellation of Leo, and is in the habitable zone (or the Goldilocks Zone, as it is known) of the distant system. This makes NASA’s discoveries all the more encouraging. It is located 120 light-years away (1,135,287,656,709,696 km to be precise).

NASA stated that the possibility of a water ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere in K2-18 b is supported by the abundance of methane and carbon dioxide and the lack of ammonia.

The dimethyl sulphide (DMS) molecule may have been detected by the first Webb observations. This can only be made by life on Earth. The space agency continued, “Phytoplankton in marine areas release the majority of the DMS in Earth’s atmosphere.

Simply put, current research indicates that a planet’s capacity to support life depends on the presence of carbon and liquid water, as well as the proper temperatures. According to preliminary JWST observations published by NASA, K2-18 b appears to meet all criteria.

Although the study’s prospects are expected to spark some creative thought, scientists are proceeding cautiously. The authors of the paper have already stated that additional validation is necessary for the detection of DMS in K2-18 b’s atmosphere.

Given the promise of these preliminary findings, the study’s team will now try to determine whether DMS is present in K2-18 b’s atmosphere in detectable concentrations.