Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have picked up the clearest signs yet of potential life beyond Earth. The discovery? Two life-linked gases — DMS and DMDS — floating in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b, a so-called “hycean world” that may be covered in warm oceans.
On Earth, these gases are only made by living organisms. No, they’re not claiming aliens (yet), but what are the odds that this is a biological signal? 99.7%. Welcome to observational astrobiology, and this planet has just become the most compelling lead in humanity’s centuries-old search for company.
