Scientists have searched for life on other planets by looking for phenomena that are only caused by life—primarily in the search for certain molecules or forms of molecules that, on Earth, are not produced by any abiotic means.
Recent astronomical observations have found what appear to be the products of life on another planet, K2-18b, which orbits the star K2-18, located 124 light-years away.
By careful analysis of the light passing through the atmosphere of the planet as it passes in front of its star, researchers can see the fingerprints of molecules by their effect on the light.
Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope, a team of scientists have concluded that the planet’s atmosphere contains dimethyl sulfide, which on Earth is only created by life.
