June 28, 2025 | Space Science Desk — In a discovery that has captured global attention, an Indian-origin scientist has identified signs of potential life on a distant planet named K2-18b, raising hopes of discovering life beyond Earth. This exoplanet, located 124 light-years away from Earth, lies in the habitable zone of its host star — a region where conditions may be just right to support life.
🔭 The Indian Mind Behind the Mission
This groundbreaking research is being led by Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, a prominent astrophysicist at the University of Cambridge. An alumnus of IIT-BHU and MIT, Prof. Madhusudhan and his team used data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study the atmosphere of K2-18b in detail.
Their observations revealed the presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) — compounds that, on Earth, are primarily produced by living organisms. These potential biosignatures have sparked excitement and debate across the global scientific community.
🌍 What Makes K2-18b Special?
- Discovered in 2015 by NASA’s Kepler Telescope, K2-18b orbits within the “Goldilocks Zone” of its red dwarf star — not too hot, not too cold.
- It may belong to a class of Hycean planets, which are theorized to have hydrogen-rich atmospheres and deep global oceans — both key ingredients for life.
- The planet’s atmosphere shows low ammonia levels, which could hint at the presence of vast oceans that are absorbing it.
- Other detected elements include methane and carbon dioxide (CO₂) — gases often associated with aquatic environments.
🧪 Scientific Debate and Skepticism
While the findings are promising, not all scientists are convinced. Some argue that DMS can also form through non-biological processes, and that further verification is essential.
In fact, an independent team that analyzed 2023 JWST data claimed they found no strong evidence of DMS or even CO₂ in the atmosphere. The discovery, though exciting, remains unconfirmed and requires additional data and analysis.
🚀 What’s Next?
- NASA and several international research organizations have joined forces to conduct further studies on K2-18b.
- The James Webb Telescope continues to analyze the planet’s atmosphere for over 650 molecular signatures.
- According to Prof. Madhusudhan, confirming life on K2-18b would revolutionize our understanding of the universe — and prove that Earth is not the only cradle of life.
🌌 Conclusion
The discovery of biosignature-like molecules on K2-18b marks a thrilling chapter in space exploration. While the journey to confirm extraterrestrial life is still ongoing, the contributions of Indian scientists like Nikku Madhusudhan are placing India on the global map of cutting-edge space research.
Whether or not K2-18b ultimately hosts life, this discovery is a giant leap for astrobiology, and a powerful reminder that we may not be alone in this vast cosmos.
