Posted on 04/17/2025 3:17:37 PM PDT by hardspunned
A team of astronomers have detected what they call the most promising signs to date of a possible biosignature, or signs of past or present life linked to biological activity, on an exoplanet named K2-18b. But the study authors, and other experts, remain cautious and have not declared a definitive discovery of life beyond our planet.
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, the team detected chemical fingerprints within the atmosphere of K2-18b that suggest the presence of dimethyl sulfide or DMS, and potentially dimethyl disulfide or DMDS. On Earth, both molecules are only produced by microbial life, typically marine phytoplankton.
K2-18b, located 124 light-years from Earth, could be a Hycean world: a potentially habitable planet entirely covered in liquid water with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, said lead study author Nikku Madhusudhan, professor of astrophysics and exoplanetary science at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy.
(Excerpt) Read more at amp.cnn.com ...
Some people will quickly call it BS, and most of them are simply motivated fear and the unknown. The thought of earth not being the center of the universe and the possibility of life forms existing outside earth scares the bejesus out of them. It takes them out of their comfort zone...☺
It was a clear sighting of Bigfoot. Finally!! 🐵
Same here about Elon’s thoughts.
Even if it’s tidally locked, considering the size of the planet, the area or strip of constant twilight would be massive.
Exactly right.
It is BS. Just an effort to get more funding.
Even if it is true, what real scientific benefit is there in studying? That’s right, there is none.
Other factors can reduce the likelihood of life, like the stripping of the atmosphere by plasma flares, the freezing of oceans (if they exist) on one side and their evaporation on the side continuously facing the dwarf star, whether the planet has a magnetic field, or plate tectonics.
“On Earth, both molecules are only produced by microbial life, typically marine phytoplankton.”
Call me in a few million years after they drag themselves out of the sea and sprout legs. ;)
Next global ruse is aliens 👽. Werner Von Braun warned us…
These types of planets are called "Hycean water worlds" and once only theorized, they're now being spotted all over the place around red dwarf stars, the most common star in the universe.
They're basically large "super earths" except fully covered in liquid water with thick hydrogen atmospheres. Finding simple, microbial life or algae on them might not be really be much of a surprise considering these types of planets are considered perfect candidates and the JWT was designed specifically to look for these atmospheric signatures.
Again, we're talking algae here, not advanced civilizations.
I would imagine they're going to start finding these "algae worlds" all over the place.
And other factors can increase the likelihood of life. Point being, some of those factors we might have no clue about.
AI says:
Generally, where there’s algae, there’s also other life. Algae are a foundational part of many ecosystems, and their presence often indicates a healthy and thriving environment that supports a variety of other organisms. In essence, the presence of algae signals the existence of a viable and dynamic ecosystem that supports a wide range of life, from the smallest creatures to larger predators.
The Clinton regime pushed hard on a Martian meteor bacteria hoax?
That's like saying there might be other factors we might have no clue about that would decrease the likelihood of life on such a planet.
Only factors that are known or reasonably possible can be used to make an estimate of the probability of life existing there.
There is lots of research going on out there that receives NO funding.
Btw, you say there is no scientific benefit if one day it's proven and confirmed life forms exist outside earth? I think that would ramp up scientific research like never seen before.
Exactly correct. And my point.
That’s what I’m sayin’! :)
There is either a ‘Seinfeld’ or a ‘Far Side’ for any and every situation!
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