Scientists detect signature of life on a distant planet, study suggests

CNN ^ | 4/17/25 | Ashley Strickland

[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.

[SunkenCiv]

• Clues of alien life discovered 120 light years from Earth as scientists detect ocean-covered planet 'teeming with organisms' [04/16/2025]
• Astronomers detect a possible signature of life on a distant planet [04/16/2025]
• Astronomers Detect 'Strongest Indication Yet' of Life on Exoplanet 120 Light-Years From Earth [04/17/2025]

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[Nabber]

“May” …. “Possibly” …. Blah blah blah … always signs of “great research”

[WASCWatch]

124 light years away from Earth?

Someone(s) making SWAGs with literally no evidence.

[SunkenCiv]

Of course, because they deal with evidence, not ex cathedra statements.

[dragnet2]

Yep. James Webb Space Telescope is bad azz. It simply allowed them to see possible signs of life in chemical signatures within that planet’s atmospheric halo. It may or may not mean life forms exist there. I don’t know.

[RoosterRedux]

Irrelevant.

The 2000 Mars story was based on limited, ambiguous data.

The James Webb Telescope (JWST) is a completely different game: 100x more powerful than Hubble in the infrared, capable of detecting atmospheric chemistry on exoplanets 100+ light-years away. We're not talking about a blurry rock in a Martian meteorite—we’re talking full-spectrum chemical analysis from deep space.

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Irrelevant...We're not talking about a blurry rock in a Martian meteorite

You're jumping on the bandwagon way to early on this one. Most astrophysicists aren't as excited as you are, to include the director of this study.

Eddie Schwieterman, assistant professor of astrobiology at the University of California, Riverside, is “somewhat skeptical"

"I think this is one of those situations where extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," says Laura Kreidberg, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany

Still, he (Madhusudhan) said, "we're not currently claiming that it is due to life."

[RoosterRedux]

I didn't say I think the JWST finding is correct or material.

I just said comparing it to something that Hubble discovered is irrelevant because JWST is a significant improvement.

And I'm not the least bit excited. Discovering a chemical signature from a vast difference isn't something to get excited about IMHO.

[RoosterRedux]

Vast distance, not difference. Still in caffeine deficit here.;-)