SCIENCE

Cambridge researchers detect molecules in K2-18b's atmosphere associated with life, sparking excitement about extraterrestrial life.

By Aniket Chakraborty

Apr 24, 2025

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The chemical signature of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), produced by marine life on Earth, has been detected on K2-18b.

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Lead researcher Prof. Madhusudhan anticipates that the evidence could be confirmed within one to two years, bringing humanity closer to answering the question: are we alone in the universe?

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Despite the promising discovery, scientists caution that further data is needed to confirm whether the gases are truly biological in origin or if non-living processes could also create them.

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K2-18b is located 124 light years away, roughly two-and-a-half times the size of Earth, and orbits a red dwarf star, making it one of the most intriguing exoplanets for study.

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There is ongoing debate about whether K2-18b has a liquid ocean, which could support life, or if its atmosphere is instead influenced by geological activities like molten rock.

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JWST’s ability to analyze exoplanet atmospheres has opened a new frontier in the search for life beyond Earth, allowing scientists to detect chemical signatures.

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The current findings are not definitive, with scientists needing to achieve a five-sigma result (99.99999% certainty) before declaring the presence of life on K2-18b.

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Other scientists suggest alternative explanations, such as K2-18b being a mini gas giant without a surface, adding complexity to the ongoing debate.

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While still in its early stages, this discovery marks an exciting milestone in space exploration, with the potential to reshape our understanding of life in the universe.

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