Evidence discovered to support life outside Earth

A couple months ago, scientists from the University of Cambridge found evidence of life on a distant exoplanet. Specifically, they found chemicals on this planet that were related to living animals on Earth. This planet, K2-18b, is 124 light years away, or around 744 trillion miles. So far, this is their greatest discovery.

This molecular evidence was found from NASA’s James Webb Telescope, the largest and most powerful space telescope built. The chemicals and gases that were found on K2-18b are similar to those produced only by living organisms on Earth. This further supports the claim that life exists on this new planet. This discovery has also been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

The lead researcher behind the project is Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, from the University’s Institute of Astronomy. Madhusudhan said that this discovery gets the human race closer to knowing they are not alone in the universe. He also said that “if we confirm that there is life on K2-18b, it should basically confirm that life is very common in the galaxy.” He further elaborated to BBC News that, “this is the strongest evidence yet there is possibly life out there,” and if the connection with the chemicals and gas is proven, “then this planet will be teeming with life.”

Although the team and independent astronomers state that more data is needed to confirm the findings, the researchers note that if they confirm them, it could mean K2-18b could be home to alien life. More research is now being conducted on this matter.

References: The Astrophysical Journal Letters.