Future Space
Scientists have been seriously debating whether K2-18b, a planet 124 light-years away in the Leo constellation, could be an ocean world that hosts tiny life forms. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, a British-US team found two chemicals in its atmosphere — dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide — that, here on Earth, are only made by living things like microscopic phytoplankton. They’re being super careful though, saying we need a lot more data before shouting “alien life!” from the rooftops. Still, it’s a massive deal, because K2-18b is in the habitable zone — not too hot, not too cold, just right for liquid water. It’s more than eight times heavier and 2.5 times bigger than Earth, making it a rare, exciting find.
Credit BRIGHT SIDE