The James Webb Space Telescope has detected an organic molocule in the atmosphere of a remote exoplanet, which may indicate the existence of life in ice.
The exoplanet K2-18 b is believed to be situated in the habitable region of an extraterrestrial star located 120 light-years away in Leo constellation, leading some scientists to speculate that it could be among the newly discovered ‘Hycean worlds’.
The JWST’s data has provided additional insight into the alien universe, as these planets possess hydrogen-rich atmospheres and vast oceans that could potentially harbor microbial life.
The @NASAWebb telescope uncovered carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting an ocean. Although we have not yet found life on this planet, we may need to use more observations as further studies are needed. NASA (@NASAA) has released data for how many Earth-sized particles were detected by our cameras at different times during its orbit from Earth: http://t.co.p/j8ub8PwwMG (13) and https://bit.ly/2c9oz
Typically, sub-Neptune planets such as K2-18 b are not visible due to the radiation plume that is released from their parent stars. However, in this case, K1-OK, the astronomers were able to capture light from the parent star which had passed through the atmosphere of the orbiting planet.
The lead author of the paper, Nikku Madhusudhan of Cambridge, explained that Webb’s unprecedented sensitivity and extended wavelength range were instrumental in producing this outcome, as it allowed for accurate determination of spectral features with only two transits.
By examining the chemical signature of the starlight, the team discovered that methane and carbon dioxide were present in the exoplanet atmosphere, which suggested that K2-18 b may be a Hycean world.
Astronomers also identified evidence of the presence of dimethyl sulfide in the light spectrum, which would be a significant clue for the existence of life. On Earth, dimetriche is produced solely as derived from life, typically occurring in marine bacteria and phytoplankton.
Marvelous James Webb Space Telescope Photographs: 24 Images.
Our aim is to find life on a habitable exoplanet, which would change our perception of where we are in the universe. “This discovery provides us with significant insights into understanding Hycean worlds,” Madhusudhan stated.
Astronomers warn that additional observations with Webb may be necessary to confirm the existence of the biomarker in the atmosphere of our planet. Furthermore, they suggest that the parent star’s radiation could have caused its potentially massive ocean to become too hot to sustain life as we know it.
The JWST team is set to conduct follow-up observations of the ocean planet using the telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which may help uncover more about the alien world.
Our research highlights the need to consider diverse habitable environments in the search for life elsewhere. While the majority of studies have focused on smaller, rocky planets, our findings suggest that the larger Hycean worlds are more suitable for atmospheric observations.
IGN’s Anthony is a freelancer who has been covering science and video gaming news for over eight years. His focus is on breaking developments in various scientific fields, so he can devote no time to his craft. You can follow him on Twitter at @BeardConGamers.