There's growing evidence of possible life on other planets. Here's why you should still be skeptical

There’s growing evidence of possible life on other planets – here’s why you should still be sceptical

Artist's impression of K2-18 b. NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)A team of researchers has recently claimed they have discovered a gas called dimethyl sulphide (DMS) in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet orbiting a distant star. The University of Cambridge team’s claims are potentially very exciting because, on Earth at least, the compound is produced by marine bacteria. The presence of this gas may be a sign of life on K2-18b too – but we …

There's growing evidence of possible life on other planets. Here's why you should still be skeptical

A team of researchers has recently claimed they have discovered a gas called dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet orbiting a distant star.

A Systematic Search for Trace Molecules in Exoplanet K2-18 b - Astrobiology

The first transmission spectrum of the habitable-zone sub-Neptune K2-18 b with JWST has opened a new avenue for atmospheric characterisation of temperate low-mass exoplanets. The observations led to inferences of methane and carbon dioxide, as well as of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), both potential biosignatures. However, robust identification of DMS and/or DMDS […] The post A Systematic Search for Trace Molecules in E…

'Planet Hunter' searches for alien life on distant worlds

In a new episode of the Big Brains podcast, “Planet Hunter” Jacob Bean digs into his work searching for alien life. The search for life beyond Earth is no longer science fiction—it takes a lot of data, powerful telescopes and a bit of cosmic detective work. And at the center of this search is University of Chicago astrophysicist Jacob Bean. Bean was part of the team that made history by detecting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a distant pla…