Spectroscopic observations from the NIRSpec instrument reveal carbon-bearing molecules and tentative signs of dimethyl sulfide in the atmosphere of a sub-Neptune exoplanet 120 light-years away.
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Spectroscopic observations from the NIRSpec instrument reveal carbon-bearing molecules and tentative signs of dimethyl sulfide in the atmosphere of a sub-Neptune exoplanet 120 light-years away.
Astrophysicists analyzing transmission spectroscopy data from the James Webb Space Telescope have confirmed carbon-bearing molecules in the atmosphere of K2-18b. Located 120 light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo, K2-18b orbits within the habitable zone of its cool dwarf star, making it a prime candidate for studying Hycean worlds.
Atmospheric Composition Revealed
The data demonstrates an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide, accompanied by a notable absence of ammonia. This chemical fingerprint supports the hypothesis that K2-18b possesses a hydrogen-rich atmosphere enveloping a liquid ocean mantle.
The Tantalizing Dimethyl Sulfide Signal
Most intriguing to astrobiologists is a potential detection of dimethyl sulfide (DMS)—a molecule that on Earth is produced almost exclusively by marine phytoplankton. Further deep-exposure observations are scheduled to verify the signal at 5-sigma statistical significance.
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