Astronomers determined the most promising signs of the possible existence of life outside the solar system.
Nevertheless, scientists are still careful with whether this really means the discovery of extraterrestrial life. This was reported by the press service of the University of Cambridge (Great Britain).
It is noted that the astronomers of this university, using the data of the James Webba space telescope, discovered signs of the chemicals of dimethyl sulfide and/or dimethyld sulfide in the atmosphere of the exoplanetary K2-18B, which revolves around its star in the suitable area.
On Earth, these chemicals are produced only by living organisms, especially by microorganism, such as sea phytoplankton.
Although the source of these molecules in the K2-18B atmosphere may be an unknown chemical process, the results obtained are the strongest evidence that life can exist on the planet outside our solar system, the article says.
These observations have reached the level of statistical significance “Three Sigma” – this means that the likelihood that they occurred as a result of an accident is 0.3%. In order to achieve the traditional classification of scientific discoveries, observations must cross the threshold of five SIGM, that is, the probability that they will occur as a result of an accident should be lower than 0.00006%.
According to researchers, additional observations of this planet can help them achieve five, significant values.
The K2-18B planet is 8.6 times higher than the Earth, and 2.6 times higher than it is 124 light years from us. Previous observations of this planet found metatan and carbon dioxide in their atmosphere.
This was the first time when carbon -based molecules were found in exoplanets in the field of life. These results are consistent with the forecasts for Gikean Planet: a suitable world covered with an atmosphere rich in hydrogen, the article says.
It is noted that the K2–18B dimethyl sulid is found in an atmosphere of concentration, and dimethylene -stringedfide is very different from similar indicators on Earth:
- On Earth, their concentration is usually below one part per billion;
- On K2–18b, their concentration thousand times Busash – more than ten parts per million.
Earlier, theoretical studies provided that high gases of sulfur, such as dimethyl sulfide and dimethyldulfide, are possible in the Gikan worlds, the researchers emphasize. – And now we see this that corresponds to our forecasts. Given everything that we know about this planet, Gikean World with the ocean, that the life of shoes is a script that is best suited for our data.
Nevertheless, scientists emphasize that although these results look exciting, it is important to get more data before saying that life is really found in another world. Yes, unknown chemical processes can occur on K2–18B, the consequences of which were now recorded by scientists.
Consequently, researchers plan to perform further theoretical and experimental work in order to determine whether dimethyl sulfide and dimethylene dimethylidlidfide are possible at this level.
Cosmic rays can form life on Earth – a scientist
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.