Il James Webb Space Telescope has detected what could be the most consistent indirect evidence of extraterrestrial life never observed.
Article Key Points
Su K2-18b, an exoplanet at 124 light years from Earth, scientists have identified traces of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) e dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) – gases produced on Earth exclusively by living organisms, such as phytoplankton and bacteria.
An ocean world with a promising atmosphere
K2-18b, with a mass 8,6 times that of Earth, orbits around a red dwarf in its “habitable zone.” Webb data show:
A liquid ocean under a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
Chemical signatures compatible with biological processes.
Temperatures that could support microbial life.
“These are the first signs of a potentially inhabited alien world”, he claims Nikku Madhusudhan, astrophysicist at the University of Cambridge and lead author of the study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Science and caution: “It is not yet the definitive proof”
Experts point out: it's not about the discovery of alien life, but of one “biosignature” – a signal that could be linked to organisms. Further analysis will be needed to rule out non-biological explanations, such as rare geochemical reactions.
What does the research say?
- Il DMS on Earth it is produced at 95% from biological activity.
- K2-18b also has methane and CO₂, key elements for habitable worlds.
- Next step: confirm whether the gases are distributed in a manner consistent with a biological origin.
The Hunt for Alien Life Enters a New Era
This discovery marks a turning point in astrobiology. “If confirmed, K2-18b would become the first planet beyond Earth with evidence of life – even if microscopic.”, explains Sarah Seager, an exoplanet expert at MIT.
And now? The team awaits further data from Webb, while the scientific community holds its breath. “We are closer than ever to answering the question: Are we alone in the universe?”.
(Source: Reuters, NASA, The Astrophysical Journal Letters)
Article published on 17 April 2025 - 07:54
