One of the most curious topics is undoubtedly whether there is life on other planets. Human beings also wonder whether they are alone on Earth. The James Webb telescope has caught a small clue that there might be life outside the Earth. While examining the atmosphere of a planet 120 light years away, it observed a molecule. This is not an ordinary molecule. It’s a molecule that is only produced by living things on Earth.
James Webb Telescope discovers hints of life beyond Earth!
This small discovery for NASA and big for the Earth was made by the famous James Webb Telescope. This telescope, which has made many more discoveries, this time discovered a sign of life. It found dimethyl sulfide in the atmosphere of another planet.
This molecule is produced by phytoplankton in salty seas as well as freshwater. So how do these phytoplankton live? We can explain it briefly as follows. They are plant-like organisms of microscopic size.
Shiftdelete.netA new study of K2-18 b, an exoplanet almost nine times the mass of Earth in the constellation Leo, has led to interesting discoveries. Dimethyl sulfide in its atmosphere has sparked excitement about the possibility of life beyond Earth.
It also has plenty of carbon-carrying molecules such as methane and carbon dioxide. This discovery supports previous studies suggesting that the distant Earth has a hydrogen-rich atmosphere over the ocean.
A question mark-like star in the vacuum of space has aroused curiosity. Here is that photo taken by the James Webb telescope.
Such planets, which are believed to exist in the universe, are called Hycean, a combination of the words “hydrogen” and “ocean”. Astronomer Nikku Madhusudhan made the claim in a video at Cambridge University. “This (dimethyl sulfide) molecule is unique to life on Earth. There is no other way for this molecule to be produced on Earth.” Exoplanets are presumed to have a biological signature. Therefore, exoplanets, including Hycean worlds, could be inhabited and habitable.
Nothing is clear yet, of course. That’s why research continues. More observations are needed to prove that there is life beyond Earth. The James Webb Telescope will continue to play an important role in this research. Water and methane are important components of life as we know it. These discoveries point to the existence of extraterrestrial life and biological activity.
