He exoplanet K2-18b It positioned itself at the center of attention of astronomers, scientists, enthusiasts and anyone interested in space issues. He James Webb Space Telescopewhich as you know is a collaboration of a lot of organizations among which the NASA, ESA, JAXA and the Canadian Space Agencydetected a couple of elements that are indications of a possibility of life.
Does that mean there is extraterrestrial life in this place? It is possible, but it is not yet confirmed, at least not with what the powerful space observatory, positioned in the high orbit of our planet, has recently detected.
The place Populi Voice explains in a review that this is not the time to celebrate with fanfare. The James Webb Space Telescope discovered the presence of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of K2-18b. Methane is a gas that is produced on Earth mainly by biological activity. Carbon dioxide, for its part, is a greenhouse gas found in the atmosphere of Earth and other planets.
The presence of these gases in K2-18b’s atmosphere suggests that the planet could have a water ocean and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. These characteristics are compatible with the possibility of the planet harboring life.
However, there would still be at least five elements to record in order to be able to talk about the development of life as we know it. In fact, K2-18b, which orbits a red dwarf star called K2-18, is now closer to being a small Neptune than an Earth. So far in this planetary system only one other planet has been detected besides the one mentioned, one called K2-18c, a gas giant.
Artist’s concept of K2-18b, with an atmosphere rich in CO2, CH4 and N2; which is consistent with an oceanic exoplanet “Hycean World” around a red star. He @jameswebb_nasa It can even perceive H2S, it is very likely that there is life just 120 light years away. pic.twitter.com/la7tMG47rt
— Spike Spiegel (@SrRios117) September 24, 2023
There is no need to rule out
The findings are exciting. It is true that we should not celebrate having found life, but we should not rule it out either. NASA points the lenses of the James Webb Space Telescope towards this stellar region, located about 120 light years away, to try to find the rest of the elements that would confirm what we long for.
Which ones are missing? We detail them below:
- Ozone: Molecule produced by the action of ultraviolet radiation on oxygen. On Earth, ozone is produced primarily by biological activity in the stratosphere.
- Methanol: It is a molecule that is produced on Earth mainly by biological activity. However, methane can also be produced by non-biological processes, such as volcanic activity or weathering.
- Oxygen: Element that on Earth is produced mainly by photosynthesis. Oxygen is a very reactive gas, so it is likely to dissolve in K2-18b’s ocean if it is not present in the atmosphere.
- Amino acids: Building blocks of proteins, which are essential for life.
- Complex biomolecules: Molecules that are not found in nature, but are necessary for life.