Astronomers discover possible signs of life on distant planet

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Scientists at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy have discovered chemical evidence that could indicate the existence of life on a faraway planet.

Using data collected by NASA and the European Space Agency’s Webb Space Telescope, researchers detected evidence of compounds dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide in the atmosphere.

“On Earth, these compounds are only produced by life, so it’s a really amazing thing that they’ve discovered,” said local expert on planetary science with Clark Planetarium, Jason Trump.

Discovered about 10 years ago, the planet is known as K2-18b and has evidence of dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide in the atmosphere — compounds most commonly found in microbial life on Earth.

Trump says the compounds are 10 times more abundant on K2-18b than they are on Earth.

“These compounds have been produced and replenished over time,” he said.

Scientists say the presence of these compounds on K2-18b is the best potential sign yet of life on other planets. However, other independent scientists say the discovery is not nearly enough evidence to show the existence of life.

K2-18b is more than twice the size of Earth and has 8 times more mass. Like Earth, it falls in what many astronomers call “the habitable zone” of its star.

“This discovery is really leading the charge of looking at evidence of life,” Trump told ABC4.com.