Scientists find a promising indication of life outside the planet -124 light-years

Astronomers have found One of the most promising indicators that there may be life outside the Earth on another planet. With help James Web telescope for spaceResearchers discovered what they think can be vital to marine microorganisms on K2-18B, Exoplanet It is located in the area suitable for housing of the 124 -year -old mother star.

According to the research led by the University of Cambridge, the team discovered the effects of diathyl sulfide (DMS) and Dimethyl Disoulfide (DMDS) in the planet’s atmosphere. On Earth, these compounds are produced only through microbial life like plant plankton.

Scientists admit that there is a possibility that these substances will be produced on this planet through an unknown chemical process that has nothing to do with microorganisms. However, they also confirm this Data It is the most powerful evidence so far for a possible life on the other planet. The results were published in the scientific magazine Astronomical physical magazine letters.

K2-18B is 8.6 times the Earth’s mass and its size is three times its size. It lies in the direction of the Liu constellation and a small type of low -temperature stars is called a red dwarf. The planet is very close to its star – it takes only 33 days to complete one orbit – but because of the low temperature of the low red dwarf, the planet is in an area of ​​space, in theory, allows liquid water on its surface.

These external planets are one of the leading possible examples of Hycean, a theoretical category of worlds characterized by the presence of extensive liquid oceans and hydrogen -rich atmosphere. According to astronomers, the discovery of Hessian planet represents one of the best opportunities to find a life outside the Earth.

This is not the first time that K2-18B has drawn the attention of astronomers. In 2023, the same team Methan and carbon dioxide found in an atmosphere. This was the first time that carbon dependent molecules were discovered on a planet inside a living area. The researchers also identified signals scattered at the time that looked like miclopic sulfide. Two years later, the team took another look at the promising planet.

Niko Madosodhan, the scientist who led the research, said in a press release.

“The previous theoretical work has predicted that high levels of sulfur -based gases such as DMS and DMDS are possible in Hycean worlds. Now we have noticed that, in line with what has been predicted. Given everything we know about this planet, a Hessian world with a vibrant ocean is the scenario that fits our best data.”

This story was originally appeared on Wireless In Spanish It was translated from Spanish.