K2-18b

K2-18b: Recently, a team of astronomers sparked worldwide excitement by reporting possible signs of life on the distant exoplanet K2-18b, more than 120 light-years away.

o They claimed to have detected dimethyl sulfide—a molecule on Earth associated solely with biological activity—in the planet’s atmosphere.

• About Exoplanets: Planets orbiting stars outside our solar system; the term comes from “extrasolar planet.”

o They vary widely in size, from gas giants larger than Jupiter to small, rocky planets like Earth.

o Their temperatures range from extremely hot to freezing cold.

o The first confirmed exoplanet discovery was in 1992, though possible evidence appeared as early as 1917.

o Over 5,000 exoplanets have been discovered to date, according to NASA.

• About K2-18b: An exoplanet located 124 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo.

o It orbits a star named K2-18.

o Discovered in 2015 by the Kepler Space Telescope.

o Likely to have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

o It is approximately 5.2 times wider and 9 times more massive than Earth.

o Receives a similar amount of stellar radiation from its star as Earth does from the Sun, suggesting the potential for habitable surface conditions.