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39.48, -82.98 | Space is full of powerful radiation, so all sorts of chemical compounds are created. But deep space, where comets spend most of their time, is also a deep freeze, barely above absolute zero.
These biomarkers could last indefinitely at 0 Kelvin. But on K2-18b, as on Earth, they will quickly degrade. If the astronomers' observations are correct, then something is constantly producing DMS and DMDS on K2-18b. Biology is the Occam's Razor answer.
Of course, the observations may be spurious. Or, something in the processing of the data may be amiss. Or, something really odd about K2-18b means it can turn out these biomarkers in abundance abiotically -- though what that might be has everyone stumped at the moment.
So, let's let astronomers collect more data and run the numbers. | |
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Growing evidence for extraterrestrial life...
