Remote planet shows signs of life - 12th May 2025

Clear evidence associated with signs of life has been detected by experts in the far corners of space.

Following analysis of data gleaned from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Cambridge University Institute of Astronomy researchers were able to detect the presence of specific molecules. These, which are only created by microorganisms on Earth, could signal life on the planet, K2-18b.

The JWST's power is evident from the fact that, despite the planet being 7,000 trillion miles away, it deciphers the makeup of the planet's atmosphere by the degree to which light is able to traverse the small sun around which it orbits. This indicates the presence of dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), two molecules associated with marine phytoplankton and bacteria.

Heading the project, Professor Nikku Madhusudhan asserted, "This is the strongest evidence yet there is possibly life out there." Being the second time the JWST has identified chemicals in K2-18b's atmosphere, it lends credence to the researchers' theory.

It's been estimated that the atmosphere is several thousand times greater than Earth's, meaning, as Professor Madhusudhan conjectures, "if the association with life is real, then this planet will be teeming with life."

Despite this, scientists from Cambridge and the wider science community warn others to err on the side of caution regarding this recent development. Some research teams are not only dubious of the chemicals' existence, but also the elemental structure of the planet. Should it consist of molten rock, this would rule out life. In addition, scholarly papers by NASA scientist Dr Nicolas Wogan point towards K2-18b being a surfaceless mass of gas.

A five sigma result, equivalent to 99.99999 percent correct, would give scientists the indisputable proof required in such discoveries. As it stands, they're at three sigma, or 99.7 percent correct, meaning "There is still a 0.3 percent chance that it might be a statistical fluke," says Professor Madhusudhan.

For the time being, given that an expedition to K2-18b would require an estimated 190,000 years, the evidence is likely to come from the JWST rather than a physical spacecraft.