James Webb telescope spots potential biosignature on exoplanet

Astronomers are using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to search for biosignatures in the atmospheres of exoplanets. Scientists have identified dimethyl sulfide (DMS) or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b. On Earth, DMS and DMDS are only produced by life, specifically by phytoplankton in marine environments. The detection suggests the exoplanet could potentially host life. K2-18b is 8.6 times as massive and 2.6 times as wide as Earth, located 124 light-years away. It was previously found to have water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. These conditions suggest K2-18b could be a "Hycean world," meaning it is a water-covered planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. The current research provides valuable statistical significance, with a confidence interval of 0.3%. The primary challenge lies in achieving sufficient spectral resolution at the required wavelengths. Future observations with JWST are crucial to confirm these findings. These observations will help to investigate the atmospheric composition of exoplanets and assess their potential to support life.