Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Scientists found DMS and DMDS in K2-18b’s atmosphere—chemicals on Earth produced only by life, hinting at microbial organisms swimming in alien oceans.
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K2-18b is likely a hycean planet—covered in deep oceans under a hydrogen-rich sky, a prime setup for sustaining microscopic life like phytoplankton.
With methane and carbon dioxide swirling in its skies, K2-18b became the first habitable-zone exoplanet with confirmed carbon-based molecules.
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Experts believe the alien oceans might mirror Earth’s, filled with phytoplankton-like microbes feeding on starlight—tiny but thriving.
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The planet’s atmosphere contains DMS levels thousands of times higher than Earth's, painting a picture of a biologically active water world.
To confirm life officially, scientists need to cross the five-sigma threshold. They’re currently at three—on the brink of a historic declaration.
A University of Durham survey found over 86% of astrobiologists agree: life is almost certainly out there, likely thriving across the stars.
Peter Vickers says if life exists on K2-18b, it “virtually guarantees” millions more life-hosting planets in the universe.
With hundreds of billions of galaxies and only a “teacup” sampled, Earth being unique is increasingly unlikely, say researchers.