Far planet may already support life - 12th May 2025

Researchers have revealed exciting new evidence indicating the possibility of life on another planet.

The discovery was made by researchers at Cambridge University Institute of Astronomy when analysing data received from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Known as K2-18b, the planet's located 7,000 trillion miles from Earth. The telescope revealed the presence of certain molecules, which on Earth are only produced by simple living organisms.

Thanks to the colossal power of the JWST, it's enabled the team to identify the composition of the planet's atmosphere from the light that passes through the small sun which it orbits. The chemical signature of its atmosphere indicates two molecules, dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), which on Earth are produced by marine phytoplankton and bacteria.

The project's lead researcher, Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, stated, "This is the strongest evidence yet there is possibly life out there." As this is the second time that the JWST has found chemicals associated with life in K2-18b's atmosphere, it further validates the scientists' theory.

The team estimates that the gas in the planet's atmosphere is thousands of times greater than that on Earth, leading Professor Madhusudhan to believe it could be "teeming with life."

However, the Cambridge team and international scientists insist that this latest discovery must be treated with caution. Other research groups question the presence of these chemicals and even the planet's composition, some believing it's molten rock, which would preclude life. And NASA's Dr Nicolas Wogan's published research suggests K2-18b's simply a mini gas giant with no surface.

Although scientists generally attempt to achieve a five sigma result, meaning their results are 99.99999 percent correct, currently the Cambridge experts' conclusions are merely three sigma or 99.7 percent.

Even the fastest contemporary spacecraft's journey to K2-18b would take 190,000 years, leaving scientists dependent on the JWST to enlighten us about life beyond our galaxy.