NASA, the United States space agency, has just released exciting news that could redefine our understanding of life in the universe.
Using the telescope James Webb, NASA scientists have detected a series of crucial elements in the atmosphere of the planet K2-18 b, located 120 light-years from Earth. This discovery raises the exciting possibility that signs of life could exist on a distant world.
NASA may have found signs that indicate life on another planet
Image: evgeniy / stock.adobe.com
The planet K2-18b had already intrigued the scientific community, as it is located in the so-called “habitable zone” from its parent star, where conditions are potentially suitable for the existence of liquid water.
However, the mere presence of liquid water does not guarantee the existence of life, as other factors, such as temperature, pressure and atmospheric composition, play a fundamental role in the habitability of a planet.
Data collected by the James Webb Telescope revealed the presence of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the atmosphere of K2-18 b. On Earth, it is produced exclusively by living organisms, which makes this discovery particularly intriguing.
However, NASA scientists emphasize that this is not definitive proof of life, but rather a promising lead.
Image: ESA/Hubble
The planet’s atmosphere also revealed the presence of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen, suggesting the possible existence of water in its liquid or ice form.
This further reinforces the hypothesis that K2-18b could harbor some type of life. However, it is important to note that the existence of liquid water would depend on many other factors, including the planet’s temperature.
A NASA is now committed to furthering its investigation and collecting more data to confirm or refute the possibility of life on K2-18 b. The next step will involve a more detailed analysis of the planet’s atmospheric composition and surface conditions.
K2-18b is a giant compared to Earth, being eight times larger. Its intriguing atmosphere and location in the habitable zone make it a fascinating candidate for future exploration.
However, conditions on its surface are still a mystery, and NASA recognizes that much work needs to be done before we can draw definitive conclusions about the possibility of life there.