US EditionPossible sign of life in deep space faces new doubts
- Astronomers led by Cambridge University announced in April they detected possible biosignatures, DMS and DMDS, in K2-18b's atmosphere 124 light years away.
- This claim arose from James Webb Space Telescope data, but several follow-up studies have found insufficient evidence and questioned the statistical significance.
- Researchers expanded chemical models from 20 to 650 possible molecules, finding some promising candidates but concluding DMS and DMDS lacked strong statistical support.
- The detection reached a three-sigma significance level, meaning a 0.3% chance of being a false positive, but critics warned the data remain too noisy and preliminary.
- Astronomers and critics agree more observations are needed, emphasizing caution and robust debate before confirming biosignatures on K2-18b or claiming extraterrestrial life.
86 Articles
86 Articles
FOX 28 Spokane
The Straits TimesDoubt cast on claim of ‘hints’ of life on faraway planet
When astronomers announced last month they might have discovered the most promising hints of alien life yet on a distant planet, the rare good news raised hopes humanity could soon learn we are not alone in the universe. But several recent studies looking into the same data have found that there is not enough evidence
ABC FOX Montana
Doubt cast on claim of 'hints' of life on faraway planet
When astronomers announced last month they might have discovered the most promising hints of alien life yet on a distant planet, the rare good news raised hopes humanity could soon learn we are not alone in the universe.
There’s Growing Evidence Of Possible Life On Other Planets – Here’s Why You Should Still Be Skeptical
Claims for the detection of life on other planets go back decades. Here's why you should still be skeptical despite recent discoveries. The post There’s Growing Evidence Of Possible Life On Other Planets – Here’s Why You Should Still Be Skeptical appeared first on Study Finds.
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