Scientists have uncovered potential signs of life on the distant exoplanet K2-18b, located over 120 light-years away in the Leo constellation. This groundbreaking discovery was led by Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan, a professor at the University of Cambridge, and his team. Using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), researchers detected carbon-rich molecules such as methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet’s atmosphere — a major step forward in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Dr. Madhusudhan said this is “the strongest evidence yet” that life may exist beyond Earth, adding, “I can realistically say that we can confirm this signal within one to two years,” according to the BBC.
K2-18b is a sub-Neptune exoplanet that orbits the red dwarf star K2-18 and lies within its habitable zone — a region where conditions may support liquid water. The planet is about 2.6 times larger and 8.6 times more massive than Earth. Scientists believe it may be a “Hycean” world, a class of planet with hydrogen-rich atmospheres and potential global oceans — a combination that could support life.
What the Webb Telescope found?
JWST’s instruments, including the Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) and the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), helped detect key molecules. Among the most exciting findings was a possible trace of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) — a molecule on Earth produced only by living organisms, particularly marine phytoplankton. However, NASA emphasized that this detection remains unconfirmed and will require more data.
“Upcoming Webb observations should be able to confirm if DMS is indeed present in the atmosphere of K2-18b at significant levels,” NASA stated.
Who is Dr. nikku madhusuun?
Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan is renowned for his work on exoplanetary atmospheres, interiors, and biosignatures. A graduate of IIT-BHU and MIT, he has held research roles at Yale, Princeton, and Cambridge. His team’s research is expanding the definition of habitability, showing that planets unlike Earth — such as Hycean worlds — may also support life.
“If we confirm that there is life on K2-18b, it should basically confirm that life is very common in the galaxy,” said Madhusudhan.
The team plans to continue studying K2-18b using JWST over the coming year. Further down the line, the European Space Agency’s Ariel mission, set to launch in 2029, will also investigate the atmospheres of similar exoplanets, furthering our understanding of the potential for life beyond Earth.
(Inputs from The Indian Express, BBC and Daily Mail)
