A planet, not too far from us, which could have characteristics similar to Earth, and which, for this reason, could even host life: it is K2-18b, a recently discovered celestial body 120 light years away. According to some research, traces of dimethylsulphide could be found in its atmosphere, an organic compound that can only be produced by living beings. An extraordinary discovery which, if confirmed, would open up incredible scenarios.
K2-18b
What do we know about K2-18b? It is a exoplanet, that is, a celestial body that is not linked to our solar system. It is also called EPIC 201912552 and orbits the red dwarf star K2-18, 111 light years away from Earth. K2-18b was discovered recently, in 2015, during the Kepler mission. Some consider it a kind of super Earth.
The research that highlighted the possible presence of dimethyl sulfide in its atmosphere dates back to last year. An international research team led by the University of Cambridge, with the collaboration of the School of Physics and Astronomy of Cardiff University, the Earth & Planets Laboratory – Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington and the Space Science Institute of Boulder, was able detect the organic compound dimethylsulfide in the exoplanet's atmosphere.
This is a very important fact, because this gas has an exclusively biological origin. If the presence of dimethylsulfide were confirmed, therefore, we could take into consideration the idea that there are some life forms.
Observations with the James Webb Space Telescope
All this was possible thanks to James Webb Space Telescope, which allowed the team led by Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, a professor at Cambridge, to identify the organic compound through spectrographic investigations. By studying the way in which light reflects on the atmosphere of a planet, it is in fact possible to trace which chemical substances compose it.
In the constellation of Leo – in fact, K2-18b is located there – the answer to the omnipresent question could therefore be found: is there life in the universe?
Clearly there is a call for caution from industry experts, despite the enthusiasm. Investigations will therefore continue with the James Webb Space Telescope, in the hope of receiving further confirmation of the presence of dimethylsulfide in the exoplanet's atmosphere. New ones will be carried out already today observations. The results will then be examined in the coming months, given that this is a fairly long job.
In 2028, when the ARIEL space telescopewe can proceed with even more in-depth investigations.