Scientists detect “strongest evidence till date” of life outside our solar system
London: Astronomers have reported the strongest evidence yet of potential biological activity on a distant planet named K2-18b, located about 124 light-years away from Earth. The planet, which is more than twice the size of Earth, has shown signs of atmospheric molecules that, on Earth, are produced only by living marine organisms.
The discovery was made by an international team of scientists led by Indian Origin scientist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge. Using data collected by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the team analyzed the chemical composition of the planet’s atmosphere. They found molecular signatures that suggest the possible presence of life-supporting processes.
“This is certainly the strongest sign we have seen yet,” said Dr. Madhusudhan in a television interview. “I can realistically say that we could confirm this signal within one or two years.” He added that if life is found on K2-18b, it could point to the likelihood of life being common across the galaxy.
The planet K2-18b is located in the habitable zone of its host star, a red dwarf. This is the region where temperatures could allow for the existence of liquid water—a key ingredient for life. The planet is about 2.5 times the size of Earth and sits roughly 700 trillion miles away.
The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, is equipped to detect and analyze the faint light that passes through a planet's atmosphere as it transits its star. This allows scientists to identify the presence of specific molecules. In the case of K2-18b, the molecules detected appear to be those that, on Earth, are associated with biological activity.
However, experts are urging caution. While the findings are promising, they remain inconclusive. The scientific team is in the process of preparing a detailed paper on the discovery and is expected to seek further observations to validate the results.
Catherine Heymans, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, noted that even more detailed data might not provide a definite answer. “Even with perfect data, you still won’t be able to say that this is definitely of biological origin,” she said. “There are many unknowns in the universe, and other non-biological processes could produce similar signatures.”
The research team hopes that continued observations using the James Webb Space Telescope and other advanced instruments will offer greater clarity in the coming years.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Four held in Kalaburagi for brutal murder of man
Kalaburagi: Four men have been arrested in Kalaburagi on charge of hacking a man with lethal weapons and pelting stones at him under the limits of Station Bazaar Police Station recently.
According to police sources, Anand Jalak Shinde (34), Ashitosh Jalak Shinde (30), Imran Mehboob Sheikh (28) and Sohaib Anwar Qureshi have been arrested. The men are accused of the brutal murder of Syed Mehboob, a resident of Station Bazaar Upper Line Hamalawadi in the city.
An FIR was filed by the Station Bazaar Police Station based on a complaint given by Syed Ismail, father of the deceased Syed Mehboob.
Following quick probe, the police team successfully arrested the suspects within 24 hours. The arrested men were produced in court and have been sent to judicial custody.
The City Police Commissionerate has appreciated in an official release the police team’s quick solving of the murder case and arrest of the four men accused of murdering Syed Mehboob.
