Cambridge scientist who thinks he's discovered alien life.

[martin-w 3,258]

 

[charliearon 3,041]

🐎 🏒  That about sums it up!

[martin-w 3,258]

19 hours ago, charliearon said:

🐎 🏒  That about sums it up!

 

You think?

If they have detected said gas though and, as far as we know, its only created by life, then there is a chance. 

Seems to be a respectable scientist.

 

 

Quote

Nikku Madhusudhan is a Professor of Astrophysics and Exoplanetary Science at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge. He is credited with developing the technique of atmospheric retrieval to infer the compositions of exoplanets, and with coining the term “hycean planet” to describe a theorised class of planet which hosts a liquid water ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

 

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

 

 

Quote

 

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 gases 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.

 

 

Edited April 28 by martin-w

[martin-w 3,258]

 

[dmwalker 612]

If the presence of dimethyl sulphide is confirmed, the next step would be to prove that it really can't be produced abiotically. However, there does seem to be such a process, which requires high temperatures and pressures, so I wonder if a hydrothermal vent could create the right conditions and supply the right starting chemicals. Maybe all we can say is it can't be produced abiotically on our planet. Still, confirming the presence of this unique chemical on another world would be quite exciting.

[dmwalker 612]

It is interesting to note that, six months ago, Professor Madhusudhan said:

“So we have also found a very tentative hint of the dimethyl sulfide in the atmosphere. Now, we call it tentative because we are not very confident about it and it is possible that with future observations that signal might go away or there could be some other molecule that we may not have considered.”

and now he is saying, in answer to the question "What do you put the chances of having found life at this stage?":

"I would say 50/50. Purely going by what the data has been telling us in the past and what we know from theory, it would be 50/50." 

I wonder if he is seeing something in the raw data he is now receiving, which is giving him that level of confidence.

[martin-w 3,258]

13 hours ago, dmwalker said:

wonder if he is seeing something in the raw data he is now receiving, which is giving him that level of confidence.

 

Seems that way. Will be interesting to see what transpires.

 

[tonyben87 1]

Information about the discovery of alien life by a scientist from Cambridge is very important and attention-grabbing news. However, before we have specific information, we need to ensure that the findings are thoroughly tested and confirmed before reaching a final conclusion.

If there is detailed information about this finding, such as official studies, reports or press releases from Cambridge or other reputable scientific agencies, it is appropriate to discuss and evaluate the implications and consequences. of detection will become easier.

While waiting for accurate and detailed information, keeping an open mind and being willing to accept new scientific discoveries is important, but caution and objective assessment are also required slice master.

[dmwalker 612]

On 4/28/2024 at 5:25 PM, dmwalker said:

If the presence of dimethyl sulphide is confirmed, the next step would be to prove that it really can't be produced abiotically. However, there does seem to be such a process, which requires high temperatures and pressures, so I wonder if a hydrothermal vent could create the right conditions and supply the right starting chemicals. Maybe all we can say is it can't be produced abiotically on our planet. Still, confirming the presence of this unique chemical on another world would be quite exciting.

While we are waiting for four to six months for the latest results from K2-18 b, here is a timely report on finding DMS on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Scientists have discovered dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a molecule thought to have only living sources, on a cold, lifeless comet. The finding calls into question the molecule’s usefulness as a biosignature and the significance of an earlier hint of it in the atmosphere of an alien planet.

“This is the first sign of an abiotic source,” says Nora Hänni, a chemist at the University of Bern who presented the discovery last week at the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union.

https://www.science.org/content/article/what-presumed-sign-life-doing-dead-comet#:~:text=Scientists have discovered dimethyl sulfide,atmosphere of an alien planet.

[Jacoba 56]

Meet the Habitable Worlds Observatory, NASA’s life-seeking telescope

 

https://www.planetary.org/articles/meet-habitable-worlds-observatory