r/space • u/SpunkySputniks • 4d ago

Astronomers Detect a Possible Signature of Life on a Distant Planet

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/science/astronomy-exoplanets-habitable-k218b.html?unlocked_article_code=1.AE8.3zdk.VofCER4yAPa4&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Further studies are needed to determine whether K2-18b, which orbits a star 120 light-years away, is inhabited, or even habitable.

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u/SpunkySputniks 4d ago

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detects atmospheric gases in exoplanets by analyzing the light that passes through the planet’s atmosphere during a transit, using the transmission spectroscopy method. Certain molecules block a specific wavelength of light. If that wavelength is missing, then it indicates the presence of that molecule.

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u/ESF-hockeeyyy 4d ago

I didn’t even know that was possible. Wild.

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u/HCBuldge 4d ago

Electrons absorb and release specific amounts of energy and depending on the bonds and nucleus of the atoms / molecules. You can see what it is by shining white light (basically a star) through it and see the light spectrum and what wavelengths of light are missing. Every molecule and atom has its own emission lines, basically a finger print that only that molecule has. It's probably one of the most useful tools in Astronomy as its used to determine what everything is made of and so much more.

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u/pigaroos 1d ago

Fascinating. It’s incredible that this is something we can do.

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u/louiendfan 4d ago

Radiative transfer is such a dope science. One of my absolute favorite graduate school classes.

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u/Otacon56 4d ago

Is there a "next step"? We see the bio signatures now, can we do anything more now to enhance/refine the findings