NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has discovered new evidence that planets beyond our solar system could support life.
The telescope discovered the presence of methane and carbon dioxide while observing the exoplanet K2-18b, located 124 light-years from Earth. K2-18b was first discovered by the Kepler Space Telescope in 2015 and orbits a red dwarf star called K2-18. The relationship between exoplanets and red dwarf stars is similar to the relationship between Earth and the sun.
K2-18b has a 33-day orbit within K2-18’s habitable zone, which means it will receive the same amount of light that Earth receives from the Sun and may have conditions similar to Earth. means. The star is being studied as a habitable world, and water vapor was discovered in its atmosphere in 2019.
our @NASAWebb The telescope detected carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting the distant sun. The planet may have an ocean, but more observations are needed to determine whether life can exist there. https://t.co/J8ub8PqwMG pic.twitter.com/SbgHjOO9Hv
— NASA (@NASA) September 11, 2023
The new discovery of carbon dioxide and methane in K2-18b’s atmosphere suggests that the exoplanet is a Hysian planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and an ocean of liquid water.
The term Hysean was first coined in 2021 and comes from the combination of “hydrogen” and “ocean.” It is used to describe a type of planet that is hydrogen-rich, covered in water, and potentially habitable. Does not currently exist. Although it has been confirmed to be a Hysian planet, there are several strong candidates, including K2-18b.
signs of life
In addition to methane and carbon dioxide, the James Webb Telescope also discovered a molecule known as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a substance produced only by living organisms.
“This (dimethyl sulfide) molecule is unique to life on Earth. There is no other way for this molecule to be produced on Earth,” astronomer Nick Madhusudan said in a video from the University of Cambridge. Stated. “Therefore, it is predicted to be a very good biosignature on exoplanets and habitable exoplanets, including Hycean worlds.”
Madhusudan said this is the first time exoplanet researchers have discovered methane and hydrocarbons outside Earth.
However, scientists cautioned that more research is needed and that evidence supporting the existence of DMS “requires further validation,” according to a statement from the Space Telescope Science Institute.