Has the JWST Found Life?
π§ππ ππͺπ¦π§ β πππ©π π§πππ¬ ππ’π¨π‘π ππππ?
During a routine sweep of neighbouring star systems (K2-18), the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) believes it has possibly detected something within one of the systems planets (K2-18b) atmosphere that may well be conducive to life!
Initial analysis shows that the atmosphere of K2-18b may contain traces of dimethyl sulphide (DMS). So what, I hear you say? DMS is a known chemical byproduct of life on earth, which is created by tiny marine algae and phytoplankton.
Although the planets proximity to its sun, and the extreme effects of it being paired to a red dwarf star, it may not necessarily be accommodating to life as we know it. If the planet is tidally locked, like our moon is to Earth (not spinning), the zone between the facing and offset sides could prove to be habitable though.
K2-18b is approximately 120 lightyears from Earth and takes around 33 days to orbit its cool dwarf star. The JWST will shortly be tasked to carry out a full analysis of K2-18b!
What do you think? Could life exist on K2-18b, and will JWST find anything?
During a routine sweep of neighbouring star systems (K2-18), the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) believes it has possibly detected something within one of the systems planets (K2-18b) atmosphere that may well be conducive to life!
Initial analysis shows that the atmosphere of K2-18b may contain traces of dimethyl sulphide (DMS). So what, I hear you say? DMS is a known chemical byproduct of life on earth, which is created by tiny marine algae and phytoplankton.
Although the planets proximity to its sun, and the extreme effects of it being paired to a red dwarf star, it may not necessarily be accommodating to life as we know it. If the planet is tidally locked, like our moon is to Earth (not spinning), the zone between the facing and offset sides could prove to be habitable though.
K2-18b is approximately 120 lightyears from Earth and takes around 33 days to orbit its cool dwarf star. The JWST will shortly be tasked to carry out a full analysis of K2-18b!
What do you think? Could life exist on K2-18b, and will JWST find anything?
No comments have been added yet.
