Signs of Life Beyond the Solar System: Daily Mail

Scientists from the University of Cambridge have discovered "signs of life" beyond the Solar System. The results of their research have been published in the Astrophysical Journal, according to the Daily Mail.

Using data transmitted by the powerful James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers from Cambridge have detected chemical traces of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of an exoplanet. These molecules are indicators of life, produced only by living organisms, primarily bacteria, on Earth.

The molecules were found in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b, which is located approximately 124 light-years from Earth in the Leo constellation. K2-18b is 2.6 times larger and 8.6 times more massive than Earth, and experts believe that it is covered by oceans. The planet's temperature is close to that of Earth, but it rotates so quickly that a year there lasts only 33 days.

“Based on everything we know about this planet, the 'Gizeyan' world, with its ocean full of organisms, is the scenario that best fits our data,” said Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, who led the study.