A telescope on the planet may have picked up a molecule of dimethyl sulfide (DMS). As far as we know from testing on Earth, it can only be created as a result of life.
At the same time, the researchers emphasize that it is not yet possible to confirm the findings. To do this, it is necessary to collect more data.
Methane and carbon dioxide have also been detected in the planet’s atmosphere, which may mean that the planet has a water ocean.
Niku Madhusudhan, a professor at the University of Cambridge and the leader of the planetary research, said that the findings had caused great surprise among his colleagues.
“On Earth, DMS can only be produced by life. Most of the amount found in Earth’s atmosphere is produced by phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems,” the researcher said.
Data that could provide further evidence of the results could be produced within a year.
2023-09-12 15:33:52
#Scientists #Life #discovered #planet #light #years
