Image source: NASA
caption,
Artist’s rendering of planet K2-18b orbiting a cooled dwarf planet. But it’s still far enough away to have temperatures that support life.
5 hours ago
James Webb Space Telescope Evidence of life on distant planets may have been discovered.
The reason for saying this Because of the James Webb Space Telescope They detected a molecule called dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, which is a molecule that only living things can produce. At least on Earth
Molecules that reflect extraterrestrial life signals It was detected on the planet “K2-18b” 120 light years from Earth, but researchers point out that Such vital signs “It’s not clear enough,” and further investigation will be required to confirm the presence of the molecule.
In addition to dimethyl sulfide Researchers also detected methane gas. and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of this star as well The discovery of this gas means that planet K2-18b may have an ocean on its surface.
Professor Nikku Mathusuthan from Cambridge University who is leading this research told the BBC that His entire team was “stunned” when they saw the results.
“On Earth, only living things can produce dimethyl sulfide. Earth’s atmosphere contains many of these molecules. and released from phytoplankton that live in the sea,” he said.
Still can’t decide.
But Professor Nikku explained that the discovery of the DMS molecule Still waiting for proof More information must be gathered. To confirm whether the findings are true or not, it is expected that the research results will be published within one year.
“If confirmed to be true It will be a very big deal. And I feel a responsibility to get it right. before claiming such a large discovery.”
This is the first time astronomers have detected the possibility of DMS molecules in a planet. that orbit around distant stars But astronomers are careful not to confirm for sure. Because there was an example in 2020 that claimed to have discovered another molecule, phosphine, that can be produced by living things. It was discovered in the clouds of Saturn. But the discovery was disputed and overturned last year. that is not true
Image source: ESA
caption,
James Webb Telescope
However, Dr. Robert Massey, an independent researcher, and deputy director of the Royal Astronomical Society in London said he was thrilled with the results.
“We’re slowly getting to the point where we can answer the big question: Are we alone in the universe?” he said.
“I believe that one day we will discover signs of life. Maybe from this research, or in 10 or 50 years, we will have amazing evidence. That would be the best description.”
James Webb Space Telescope It can analyze light that enters the atmosphere of distant planets. which the light itself There will be chemical symbols for the molecules in the atmosphere.
What is that chemical symbol? Researchers will separate this light information into different frequencies, or spectra, similar to how prisms can create rainbow-colored bands of light. So if some bands are lost, This means that it is absorbed by chemicals in the atmosphere. allowing researchers to discover that What is that chemical?
This result is even more dramatic. Because the planet is 120 light years or 1 billion billion kilometers away from Earth, this means that the light that reaches a space telescope is a very small beam.
The same is true for the analysis to detect DMS molecules. Examination of the planet’s light belt also detected large amounts of methane and carbon dioxide. With results that are quite confident that they are correct.
Detected carbon dioxide and methane components This points to the planet having a watery ocean beneath its hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
Water droplets have previously been detected by the Hubble telescope. That’s why the planet was named K2-18b. But the discovery that the planet has an ocean With the James Webb Telescope It is considered another important step.
Formula for creating life
The ability of the planet to support the existence of life. It depends on the temperature of the planet. presence of carbon and may include liquid water
Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope This appears to indicate that planet K2-18b has all the hallmarks of life.
But that doesn’t mean that This perfect planet would be inhabited by life. That makes the DMS molecule detectable. that only living things can produce It’s a very big thing. If it is clearly verified that it is true
And it’s even more amazing when you find that This planet does not resemble Earth. It is a rocky planet because K2-18b is nearly 9 times larger than Earth.
exoplanet or planets orbiting other stars which is larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune All have different characteristics from the planets in the solar system.
For this reason, Dr. Subhajit Zarka from Cardiff University who is a member of the analysis team, therefore sees that Humans still do not understand the planet “Sup-Neptune,” or the planet smaller than Neptune, as they should.
“Even a planet like this It will not appear in our solar system. But the planet Sup-Neptune It is considered a normal planet in the galaxy,” he said.