Scientists have detected the signs of life more than 120 light years away from Earth. In the atmosphere of a distinct exoplanet (a planet outside our solar system), K2-18b, a team of scientists led by Indian origin astrophysicist, Dr Nikku Madhusudhan, have discovered new life forms.

Dr Madhusudhan is a professor at the University of Cambridge. Using NASA’s James Webb space telescope, his team found strong evidence of carbon-bearing molecules, including methane and carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere of the exoplanet.

“This is the strongest evidence, yet there is possibly life out there. I can realistically say that we can confirm this signal within one to two years,” said Dr Madhusudan to the international media.

K2-18b : An Exoplanet

K2-18b is an exoplanet that orbits the cool red dwarf star K2-18 and lies within the habitable zone of the star, a region where the temperature can allow liquid water to exist. The red dwarf Star is part of the Leo constellation. 

The new planet is about 2.6 times the size of Earth and 8.6 times its mass. Planet K2-18b is considered sub-Neptune since it seemingly hosts a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and possibly liquid water oceans beneath. K2-18b  and Neptune belong to the hycean category of planets, with hydrogen-dominated atmospheres and ocean-covered surfaces. The hycean planets offer the most favourable conditions for life to exist.