Introduction
The probable finding of a second evolutionary experiment is one of the most amazing potential future developments in biological sciences. Planet in our Solar System and exoplanets (planets orbiting other stars) are good places to look for this phenomenon. Researchers at NASA have revealed the potential existence of a rare water ocean and a chemical indicator of potential life on a massive exoplanet thousands of light years distant.
The exoplanet has been given the name K2-18 b, which could have important implications. It is a “exoplanet,” according to NASA, one that “has the potential to possess a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a water ocean-covered surface,” and is almost nine times as massive as Earth.
Habitable Exoplanet
It is suggested that the biological hypothesis to be challenged in the research of exoplanets. The majority of habitable worlds in the cosmos will have no remotely detectable signs of life. There may be other habitable planets in the universe, but there are numerous conceivable ways that the search for life there could end in disappointment. scenarios for liveable worlds without obvious signs of life even from a great distance away.
The discovery of life on a habitable exoplanet, which would fundamentally alter our understanding of our role in the cosmos, is our ultimate objective, according to Madhusudhan. “In this endeavour, our findings are a promising first step towards a deeper understanding of Hycean worlds.”
Planet K2-18b
According to the space agency, investigations of the planet’s atmosphere chemical composition revealed that an ocean world might exist. The report stated that the possibility of a water ocean beneath a hydrogen is rich. Atmosphere in K2-18 b was supported by the abundance of methane and carbon dioxide and the lack of ammonia. The exact components of the planet atmosphere were sought after using the Webb telescope. Which can detect infrared light that is invisible to the human eye.
Additionally, recent investigations of the planet suggest that K2-18b may contain a very unique chemical called dimethyl sulphide. Moreover, according to NASA, DMS is only produced by life on Earth. “Phytoplankton in marine environments emit the majority of the DMS in Earth’s atmosphere.”
Not Confirmed Yet
The existence of extraterrestrial life on K2-18b is not explicitly implied by researchers. Astronomer Nikku, a professor of astrophysics and exoplanetary science at the University of Cambridge. In a statement he said that more investigation is required to validate the presence of DMS. The Astrophysical Journal Letters has accepted Nikku’s new scholarly paper focus on the findings as its primary author.
And even if scientists can confirm the chemical molecule is there, that doesn’t mean life-forms are present. But this new information does help scientists learn more about planets like K2-18b. The discovery of evidence for the presence of water on other planets by NASA would not be the first. A smaller planet in the constellation Cygnus that is similarly 120 light years away and around the size of Neptune, has already been found to contain water vapour.
Even though they stress that the discovery does not necessarily suggest the planet may contain life. However, scientists are not very excited about it.