[AMG Power]

In a potential breakthrough in the search for extraterrestrial life, a team of researchers led by Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan has reported compelling evidence of biological activity on a distant exoplanet, K2-18b, located 120 light-years from Earth.

The discovery is centered around the detection of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a molecule that, on Earth, is only known to be produced by living organisms such as marine algae.

Dr Madhusudhan’s team analyzed data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and found a strong presence of DMS in the atmosphere of K2-18b. This molecule, composed of sulfur, carbon, and hydrogen, is seen on Earth only as a byproduct of biological processes, primarily from marine algae. The findings were published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters and are being hailed as the strongest indication yet of life beyond our solar system.

He is a Professor of Astrophysics and Exoplanetary Science at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge having completed his B. Tech at IIT-BHU and earned his MS and PhD in Physics from MIT.

Madhusudhan has held academic positions at Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Cambridge, and has received several honours such as the 2019 MERAC Prize in Theoretical Astrophysics from the European Astronomical Society and the 2016 Young Scientist Medal in Astrophysics from the International Union for Pure and Applied Physic

Source

[GTX+]

Originally Posted by AMG Power

In a potential breakthrough in the search for extraterrestrial life, a team of researchers led by Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan has reported compelling evidence of biological activity on a distant exoplanet, K2-18b, located 120 light-years from Earth.

I am sorry but the title of the thread is misleading. There is no "evidence" of life found. What they have detected is molecule of DMS which "hints" at possibility of life on that planet.

Quoting from the source AMG power has shared: A team of astronomers have detected what they call the most promising signs to date of a possible biosignature, or signs of past or present life linked to biological activity, on an exoplanet named K2-18b. But the study authors, and other experts, remain cautious and have not declared a definitive discovery of life beyond our planet.

Quoting from another source: While the discovery has not offered definitive proof of life, Professor Nikku Madhusudhan from the Institute of Astronomy at University of Cambridge told the BBC that he hopes to obtain more substantial evidence soon. K2-18b is a sub-Neptune exoplanet that is located within its star, the red dwarf K2-18. Even though the presence of either DMS or DMDS suggests the planet could support life, scientists are working through alternative non-biological explanations. Scientists and researchers feel that there is a need for further observations and analyses to confirm these findings and rule out other sources of these compounds.

There are numerous other sources which have reported the same.


Mods may consider if the title needs to be reworded.

[AMG Power]

Originally Posted by GTX+

I am sorry but the title of the thread is misleading. There is no "evidence" of life found.

I suggest you read up before posting stuff.

Forwarding below titles of some of the many sources that mention “evidence of signs of life.” There are many more.

Read up on the content which refers to the compelling evidence that points to existence of life. Various sources may intepret current information in various ways - some may state compelling evidence is an indication of existence of life. Some may chose not to think so. It is clear that the leading media think so.

Again, please check before posting misleading information as it appears to be more of an intent to troll than anything else.

[GTX+]

Originally Posted by AMG Power

I suggest you read up before posting stuff.

Forwarding below titles of some of the many sources that mention “evidence of signs of life.” There are many more.

It is not new for media, even for some of the leading media houses, to put clickbaity titles to attract more views. But when one reads the content, they realise its not as what the title lead them to believe.

Originally Posted by AMG Power

Read up on the content which refers to the compelling evidence that points to existence of life. Various sources may intepret current information in various ways - some may state compelling evidence is an indication of existence of life. Some may chose not to think so. It is clear that the leading media think so.

What you have shared are again titles, you may want to share the relevant content in those articles which say the same thing as in the title.

I had quoted one para from the source you shared in the OP which itself states that they have found hints of life, no concrete evidence, which is actually contradicting the title of this thread. In addition, I also quoted relevant text from another source.

Originally Posted by AMG Power

Again, please check before posting misleading information as it appears to be more of an intent to troll than anything else.

I am sorry but what misleading information have I shared?

Trolling you or anyone is never my intent when I post on this forum, or on any forum for that matter. I only pointed out what I thought was an error, after I read multiple articles from various news media on this topic.

Anyway, I think we digress, so I will stop here.

[anujmishra]

What the scientist observed is 120 Light years away from earth. Means, he saw the evidence at 120 Light years back from now.

What is the possibility that still life exist in that planet? What we observe in space is past and it is long past.

[AMG Power]

Originally Posted by GTX+

What you have shared are again titles,

You had an issue with the title didn’t you?

Originally Posted by GTX+

you may want to share the relevant content in those articles which say the same thing as in the title.

You can check it out as the media are dates are given. Here are two:

“In a potential breakthrough in the search for extraterrestrial life, a team of researchers led by Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan has reported compelling evidence of biological activity on a distant exoplanet, K2-18b, located 120 light-years from Earth.”

and

“Dr Madhusudhan’s team analyzed data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and found a strong presence of DMS in the atmosphere of K2-18b. This molecule, composed of sulfur, carbon, and hydrogen, is seen on Earth only as a byproduct of biological processes, primarily from marine algae. The findings were published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters and are being hailed as the strongest indication yet of life beyond our solar system.”

Originally Posted by GTX+

I am sorry but what misleading information have I shared?

Your conclusion arrived at below.

Originally Posted by GTX+

There is no "evidence" of life found.

[SilentEngine]

Originally Posted by GTX+

Mods may consider if the title needs to be reworded.

Agreed. Evidence of signature of life is not same as evidence of life.

While it’s no doubt it’s an important finding, the scientist himself is asking people to be skeptical in the CNN article OP has posted.

But Madhusudhan and his coauthors acknowledge that more data is needed before claiming direct evidence of life on another world. The team believes between 16 and 24 hours follow-up observations using Webb will make that possible.

“It’s important that we’re deeply (skeptical) of our own results, because it’s only by testing and testing again that we will be able to reach the point where we’re confident in them,” Madhusudhan said. “That’s how science has to work.”

However, other experts believe that while the results promise excitement, confirming the existence of life beyond Earth — and even deciding what type of exoplanet K2-18b is — will take much more time and data.

[AltoLXI]

What are we going to do if we find that life exists elsewhere in the universe?

Apart from satiating the curiosity of some scientists, how will it help the humans? We cannot even call the other side - it will take 120 years for our message to get through. Even if they chose to respond, without putting us on hold, it will still take 120 years to receive the message. Unless we are cryogenically frozen for 240 years and an alarm clock thaws us back when the message is received, what is the purpose of finding "them"?

Rather we can try to find "life" around us and live in harmony with other life forms here on our humble earth !!

[searacer932]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

What are we going to do if we find that life exists elsewhere in the universe?

Apart from satiating the curiosity of some scientists, how will it help the humans? We cannot even call the other side - it will take 120 years for our message to get through. Even if they chose to respond, without putting us on hold, it will still take 120 years to receive the message. Unless we are cryogenically frozen for 240 years and an alarm clock thaws us back when the message is received, what is the purpose of finding "them"?

Rather we can try to find "life" around us and live in harmony with other life forms here on our humble earth !!

The planet is 120 "light" years away from Earth and not 120 years away from Earth! It would roughly take 2 million years to reach that planet with the current spacecrafts that NASA has unless Elon Musk does some magic in the near future and invents hyperbole travel!

[AltoLXI]

Originally Posted by searacer932

The planet is 120 "light" years away from Earth and not 120 years away from Earth! It would roughly take 2 million years to reach that planet with the current spacecrafts that NASA has unless Elon Musk does some magic in the near future and invents hyperbole travel!

Yes, I meant "communicating" with the speed of "light" will take 120 years - one way - not "commuting"

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by AMG Power

In a potential breakthrough in the search for extraterrestrial life, a team of researchers led by Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan has reported compelling evidence of biological activity on a distant exoplanet, K2-18b, located 120 light-years from Earth.

Source[/url]

In a lighter vein.
Here is Araneus Diadematus…

[Amrik Singh]

A small question : What is the use of this discovery or information ?
Is it not sheer waste of time and resources ?
We are highlighting this news because the concerned person is of Indian origin. We take pride of Indians who excelled in their fields after leaving India and settled abroad.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by Amrik Singh

A small question : What is the use of this discovery or information ?
Is it not sheer waste of time and resources ?.

Understanding the universe around us in general and is incredibly important for all kinds of things. E.g. We could not predict the high or low tide without understanding how the universe works.

Insights into the universe gives us a better insight into how the earth came about and what to expect for the future. Whether there is or has been life on another planet is incredibly relevant for us. It provides uw with a whole new perspective and understanding of the universe in general.

None of this will make a difference overnight, but just look up what studying the universe has brought us so far.

We advance new technologies that improve our daily lives, and we inspire a new generation of artists, thinkers, tinkerers, engineers, and scientists.

Jeroen

[digitalnirvana]

Originally Posted by anujmishra

What the scientist observed is 120 Light years away from earth. Means, he saw the evidence at 120 Light years back from now.

What is the possibility that still life exist in that planet? What we observe in space is past and it is long past.

The planet in question is orbiting a Red Dwarf. Unless that star has suddenly gone kaput, there are good chances of life still existing.

Space is vast. Like, incredibly, tremendously, vast. So what we see will always be images of the past. That's a tragedy of our time. We're born too late to think we're all alone, and too early to know that we're not. So of course we have to wait to know. You and I will be long gone. But hopefully our descendants will know.

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

...Apart from satiating the curiosity of some scientists, how will it help the humans? ...

Originally Posted by Amrik Singh

A small question : What is the use of this discovery or information ?
Is it not sheer waste of time and resources ?...

This is often a question asked by many and rightfully so. In our school days we had a chapter that addressed exactly this by referencing a letter written in 1970 by Sister Mary Jucunda, a nun who worked among starving native children of Zambia, Africa. Sister Mary Jucunda asked in the letter, why Dr. Stuhlinger, then associate director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, wanted to spend so much money towards exploration of space when so many children were starving on Earth.

The response is eye opening. Read it here.

NASA also has a wonderful page titled "Why go to Space". I suggest giving it a read as well.

Humanity is all about pushing the envelop of existence, quenching our curiosity and asking the questions. Some might help humans today, others in the future.

PS: NASA’s advancements in digital signal processing (for space telescopes) helped develop CAT scans and MRI machines, improving medical diagnostics.