Unexpected Atmospheric Gas on Exoplanet K2-18b

On 16th April 2025, astronomers recently announced the discovery of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the atmosphere of K2-18b, an exoplanet orbiting a star 120 light-years away.

  • This gas, on Earth, is mainly produced by marine algae, and its presence on K2-18b suggests the intriguing possibility of life.

Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS)

  • A sulfur-containing compound primarily emitted by biological organisms, particularly marine algae.
  • On Earth, DMS is a strong indicator of biological activity, though it can have a few nonbiological sources.

K2-18b

  • K2-18b is a planet located 120 light-years away, much larger than Earth, with a possible deep ....
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