Conditions to support life have been discovered in the atmosphere of an Earth-like planet

James Webb Space Telescope discovered carbon, methane and carbon dioxide on exoplanet K2-18 b. This may mean that on its surface there is a liquid ocean with living organisms of the terrestrial type.

The space object was opened in 2015. It is located in the orbit of the red dwarf K2-18 in the constellation Leo - this is about 120 light years from us. The planet's mass is 8.6 times that of Earth.

It has now also been revealed that K2-18 b is orbiting in the “habitable zone.” That is, at such a distance from the parent star at which it receives enough heat so that the water on its surface remains in a liquid state.

In addition, its atmosphere contains carbon (C), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). All this confirms the assumption made back in 2020 that there is a liquid ocean under the helium-hydrogen gas shell. After all, methane is easily destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, so constant sources are needed to maintain its level in the atmosphere. On Earth, this substance is produced by lakes, oceans, swamps and living organisms.

K2-18 b also showed signs of the organic compound dimethyl sulfide (CH3SCH3). For us, this is a product of bacterial activity. It is also secreted by microscopic algae.

However, astronomers have so far refrained from making loud statements about the habitability of the planet. For concrete conclusions, they want to more carefully study the composition of its atmosphere. In addition, there are suspicions that the ocean may be too hot for any living organisms.