Tantalising sign of possible life on faraway world

[Dexta]

Nasa's James Webb Space Telescope may have discovered tentative evidence of a sign of life on a faraway planet.


It may have detected a molecule called dimethyl sulphide (DMS). On Earth, at least, this is only produced by life.

The researchers stress that the detection on the planet 120 light years away is "not robust" and more data is needed to confirm its presence.

Researchers have also detected methane and CO2 in the planet's atmosphere
.
Detection of these gasses could mean the planet, named K2-18b, has a water ocean.

Prof Nikku Madhusudhan, of the University of Cambridge, who led the research, told BBC News that his entire team were ''shocked'' when they saw the results. 

"On Earth, DMS is only produced by life. The bulk of it in Earth's atmosphere is emitted from phytoplankton in marine environments," he said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66786611

[Dexta]

I occurs to me that this world really isn't all that far away (120 light years away), given cosmic distances - the Milky Way is 87,400 ± 3,590 light-years in diameter, for example - and that's just this galaxy. If this planet does in fact support life, it's fair to deduce the galaxies are positively teeming with it!

[Bucky Ball]

I have only one question.
Did Jebus have to be born on every planet with life, (his Father was rather persnickety).

I'm quite sure Stevie knows the answer.

[Minimalist]

Stevie don't know shit.

[Dexta]

[Dexta]

I remember reading somewhere that there was no life on earth other than "bacterial mats" for billions of years before the evolutionary leap to "higher" life was made.. phytoplankton = bacterial mats? Dunno - perhaps K2-18b is in that "phase"? I presume the "K" in the planet's "name" indicates that it was discovered by the Kepler "planet hunter" space telescope.

[Dancefortwo]

I have only one question.
Did Jebus have to be born on every planet with life, (his Father was rather persnickety).

I'm quite sure Stevie knows the answer.

Well, maybe it's the planet, Kolob, which is owned by the Mormons.  But I guess they're not gonna share their planet with anyone unless you join their special club.....the selfish sons of bitches.   

And then the Scientologists have the planet, Xenu but you have to sign a billion year contract to get there.  Jerks.   

These  two planets sound like something from a bad 1950's sci-fi movie.  I keep picturing Mormons and Scientologists wearing horrible Hollywood space costumes on these planets,  like something out of Plan 9 From Outer Space or Women From Mars, or something.

[Minimalist]

There was always something about the head gear in those movies.....

[Dancefortwo]

There was always something about the head gear in those movies.....

Yes. Sci-fi movies from th 1950's always had goofy looking hats.  A little like religious groups.  The whole costume was nutty but fun. Women usuall showed a lot of leg.   I like the upholstered shoulder pads.  lol

[Minimalist]

Hey.  They could be the twin fairies from Mothra.

[Dom]

But, seriously, I definitely think there is other life out there. Even if it's just plankton or something, life is life. Given the sheer size of the universe, it seems highly unlikely that we have to only planet with life.

[pattylt]

We are DNA based. Is there any rules that say RNA can’t achieve some form of higher life as well? Yes, it would be less efficient but not if the supply/demand was tipped heavier to the supply side. Life on earth was originally RNA until DNA became more efficient for our conditions.

And that’s not even looking at other possibilities. I think it’s probably certain that there’s other life out there, including higher forms. Some may even be silicon based…no rules say it has to all be carbon based.

It’s fun to speculate. It’s estimated that hundred of thousands of planets are in the Goldilocks zone. Many of those possible planets are likely to have plate tectonics and liquid iron cores similar to ours. I just wish we could know before I’m dead.

[Dexta]

I think faster than light travel is probably impossible so we'll never meet E.T, - and that's evinced through the lack of aliens of superior technological development visiting little old/young earth. Probes though...we might get some pictures in 10 generations or so.