Alien life still a “strong maybe”on K2-18b, after NASA telescope detection

A second, stronger detection of potential biomolecules raises hopes – and fuels debate over the planet’s makeup.

A planet in our galaxy may be exhibiting signs of life, at least according to new, albeit tentative evidence, from a Cambridge University research team with a James Webb telescope, as used by NASA.

The planet in question, is the creatively named K2-18b, a mini-Neptune world that's 2.5 times bigger than Earth, located 700 trillion miles away, orbiting a cool dwarf star.

Using the telescope, atmospheric clues were detected by the scientists, specifically dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide, that are only produced by marine microbes on Earth.

The detection strength is reported to be at 99.7%, falling slightly short of the 99.99999% needed for scientific confirmation. But, it’s still better than the 68% last time they tried, approximately 18 months ago.

At current speeds, K2-18b might as well be in a different universe – it would take 2 million years to reach it.

Debates stir over findings

Lead researcher Prof. Nikku Madhusudhan has called this the most compelling evidence yet that there could be life on K2-18b, and expects confirmation of this promising discovery within the next year or two.

Madhusudhan was also keen to stress that due to the infinity of the universe, that it’s encouraging for humans as a species to potentially discover life on many other planets.

Another explanation for the gases could be an unknown geology, or chemistry causing the release of the gases, offered independent scientist Prof. Catherine Heymans.

Debates will remain regarding the composition of the planet, as an ocean absorbing ammonia could well support life, whereas an alternative theory suggests a molten rock surface of the planet, being composed of magnum lava and hence being hostile to life.

One scientist, Dr. Nicholas Wogan, has proposed a third theory that the planet could be a mini-gas giant, challenging the supposition that K2-18b actually has a surface.

The tension between scientists should make for healthy debate and give important leeway in gauging if there really is other life out there.