Source: Business Standard [India]
“In a breakthrough that could mark a major step in the search for life beyond Earth, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have identified gases in a distant planet’s atmosphere that, on Earth, are produced solely by biological processes. K2-18b, a planet located 124 light-years from Earth and orbiting a cool red dwarf star, had already intrigued astronomers with signs it may host a vast global ocean. Now, things have become even more compelling — researchers believe they’ve detected dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in its atmosphere. On Earth, this gas is only produced by living organisms, mainly tiny ocean-dwelling microbes like phytoplankton. There is no known non-biological source. While the discovery remains tentative, astronomers are eager to verify whether this potential biosignature stands up to further scrutiny.” (04/17/25)