Exoplanet: Scientists discovered “the strongest elements” for life

A distant world covered by oceans. A blue paradise full of life. And it is probably not science fiction, but science.

This is the most likely explanation for a new discovery made by scientists who say they have identified the most promising signs of life Outside our solar system.

Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers, led by the University of Cambridge, identified the chemical fingerprints of Dimethylsulfide (DMS) and Dimethylodisulfide (DMDs) – Life Moria.

Here on Earth, these molecules are produced only by living organisms – Mostly microbial life such as marine phytoplankton.

The molecules have been found in the atmosphere of K2-18b exoplanetwhich is about 124 light years from our solar system, in the constellation of Leo.

The exoplanet revolves around a red dwarf star in what is known as the “habitable zone” – considered the most promising location to find life planets.

The K2-18B is 2.6 times larger and with 8.6 times greater mass than Earth, and experts believe it is likely to be covered by ocean.

The temperature of the planet is similar to the Earth, but it wanders so close to its star that it lasts only 33 days.

Previous observations have identified methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere – it is the first time that carbon -based molecules have been discovered in an exoplanet in the habitable zone.

Now, the analysis of new data has revealed the compounds that – from what scientists know – are produced exclusively by living organisms.

DMS and DMDS concentrations in the K2-18B atmosphere They are very different than on earth, where they are generally below one part per billion by volume.

In K2-18B, it is estimated to be thousands of times stronger – over 10 parts per million.

To determine the chemical composition of the atmosphere of the distant planets, astronomers analyze the light from its mother star as the planet passes or passes in front of the star.

As the K2-18B passes, the JWST can detect a fall in the stellar brightness and a tiny fraction of stellar light passes through the planet’s atmosphere before reaching the earth.

Last year, JWST found weak indications that “something else is happening” in K2-18B alongside the discovery methane and carbon dioxide.

Professor Nikos Madhusudhan, of Cambridge’s Astronomy Institute, led the research.

His team hopes to carry out further experiments to determine whether DMS and DMDS can be produced non -biologically to the level that is currently detected.

“Decades later, we may look back at this point in time, and recognize that it was the point where the Live universe came to us »Professor Madhusudhan underlined.

“This could be a focal point where suddenly the fundamental question of whether we are alone in the universe is a question to which we are capable of answering. “