00:00Alien world shows signs of life. James Webb spots Earth-like molecule only made by living things.
00:07In 2023, the James Webb Telescope discovered dimethyl sulfide on exoplanet K218b, located 120 light-years away.
00:17This finding excited scientists, as DMS suggests conditions that could support liquid water and potentially life.
00:25The James Webb Telescope found dimethyl sulfide in K218b's atmosphere, hinting at life.
00:35Methane and carbon dioxide suggest it might be a high-ceane planet with oceans.
00:40Dr. Niku Madhusudan stressed that this first detection outside our solar system needs confirmation due to analysis challenges.
00:47When searching for extraterrestrial life, scientists prioritize biosignatures such as gases from biological processes.
01:00NASA and ESA emphasize conditions like liquid water, stable atmospheres, and energy sources.
01:07Advanced technology, like the James Webb Telescope, improves detecting these crucial signs.
01:12In two years, the James Webb Telescope transformed exoplanet study with transmission spectroscopy, finding dimethyl sulfide on K218b.
01:26This discovery suggests potential life and expands the definition of habitable worlds.
01:31However, further observations are needed to fully understand the implications of this finding.
01:35Scientists urge careful interpretation of findings, warning that non-biological processes could imitate dimethyl sulfide signals.
01:45The discovery of dimethyl sulfide on a distant planet is historic, suggesting tools now exist to detect life's chemical fingerprints across the cosmos.
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