Scientists from Cambridge University have found promising signs of potential life on the distant exoplanet K2-18b, located about 124 light-years away, by detecting chemical molecules in its atmosphere that are associated with living organisms, specifically dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). Utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope, this discovery suggests K2-18b could be a ‘Hycean’ planet, characterized by an ocean-covered environment capable of supporting life. Despite the excitement surrounding these findings, researchers emphasize the need for further investigation to understand the chemical processes at work.
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