In an extraordinary breakthrough, astronomers using the James Webb Telescope detected a molecule that, at least on Earth, comes only from living organisms. This 2023 discovery, made while studying a distant exoplanet, has sparked excitement across the scientific community and renewed the search for life beyond Earth. The James Webb Telescope, known for its groundbreaking capabilities, continues to push the boundaries of what we know about the cosmos, and this latest finding has captivated scientists and the public alike.
The key finding? Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) — a compound produced solely by biological processes on Earth. While scientists remain cautious, this detection offers one of the strongest clues yet that alien worlds might host life. Researchers found DMS while studying K2-18b, an exoplanet about 120 light-years away in the constellation Leo. This planet orbits its star within the “habitable zone,” meaning conditions might allow liquid water to exist.
