K2-18b life signs detected as Cambridge scientists spot potential biosignatures in alien atmosphere
Could life really exist beyond Earth? A research team in Cambridge believes we might be inching closer to an answer. Studying the exoplanet K2-18b, they’ve spotted possible signs of life in the planet’s atmosphere, molecules that, on Earth, are only produced by simple living organisms. It’s early days, but the evidence so far is being hailed as the strongest hint yet that we’re not alone in the universe.
The planet in question, K2-18b, is no small fry. It’s more than twice the size of Earth and sits roughly 700 trillion miles away, orbiting a faint red dwarf star. From that distance, it might seem impossible to learn anything about what’s happening on its surface, or whether it even has one. However, using incredibly sensitive space-based technology, scientists have been able to analyse the planet’s atmosphere by looking at how light passes through it.
What they found was a chemical signature that may include dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide, gases known here on Earth to come from plankton and bacteria. If that link holds up, it could mean K2-18b isn’t just a distant rock floating in space, but a world teeming with microbial life. The amounts detected in the planet’s atmosphere are, reportedly, thousands of times greater than what we find on our own planet, sparking both excitement and scientific caution.
However, no one’s getting carried away just yet. Scientists are keen to stress that this isn’t confirmation, at least not yet. To move from ‘possible’ to ‘definite’, they need to meet a high standard of certainty. That’s currently sitting at around 99.7%, which in research terms is promising but not enough. The hope is that further observations in the next year or two will push this over the line.
The team is also being careful not to jump to conclusions about the gas’s origins. While these molecules are associated with life here on Earth, there could be other explanations. Unusual geological processes or exotic chemical reactions we haven’t seen before could be behind them. Part of the ongoing work is to test whether these gases can be created in non-biological ways.
The structure of the planet itself is still a bit of a mystery, too. Some think there’s a vast ocean beneath the atmosphere, which would support the idea of a habitable zone. Others argue it might be more like a mini gas giant with no solid surface, which is less promising for life as we know it.
Despite the uncertainties, it’s a moment that marks a shift in the conversation. For decades, the search for alien life has felt theoretical and fascinating but speculative. Now, we have real data, from a real planet, hinting at something extraordinary. And if these findings are confirmed, they could reshape how we think about our place in the universe.
For more updates on space discoveries and life beyond Earth, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
[Image Credit: Shutterstock – P Artsiom ]
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