Aliens: The Search for Life Beyond Earth
Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan and his team of scientists have made significant strides in unraveling the mysteries of extraterrestrial life. Their research has shed light on several intriguing questions, including the existence of life beyond our planet.
Life at 120 Light-Years Away
Dr. Madhusudhan and his team conducted a thorough study of K2-18b, a planet located 120 light-years from Earth. They discovered dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a gas produced exclusively by living organisms on Earth. Marine algae are the primary producers of this gas on our planet. Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the astronomers analyzed the light emitted by K2-18b, a "sub-Neptune" larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune.
A World with Oceans and Skies
K2-18b was first discovered in 2017 and was initially thought to be a Hycean planet, characterized by oceans and skies rich in hydrogen. This makes it an ideal candidate for searching for life. An in-depth study using the JWST revealed that K2-18b contains various gases, including methane, carbon dioxide, and DMS. The strong presence of DMS was confirmed in 2023, leading the scientists to conclude that life may indeed exist there.
Meet Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan
Born in India in 1980, Dr. Madhusudhan pursued his engineering studies at IIT (BHU), Varanasi, and later completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in planetary science from MIT. He joined forces with Dr. Sara Seager, a renowned exoplanet researcher. Currently, Dr. Madhusudhan is a professor at Cambridge University, where he focuses on extraterrestrial atmospheres and their potential for supporting life.
Reference : https://www.dnaindia.com/science/report-aliens-closer-than-you-thought-indian-origin-scientist-finds-clues-on-this-planet-120-light-years-away-3146219
