The article discusses the search for extraterrestrial life using chemical biosignatures, focusing on the use of telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze exoplanet atmospheres. It highlights the challenges in interpreting data and the need for robust criteria for identifying true biosignatures, using the example of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) detection on K2-18b.
The James Webb Space Telescope has detected potential life-associated gases (dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide) in the atmosphere of planet K2-18b, but scientists urge caution and further investigation to rule out non-biological sources. The findings are considered a potentially revolutionary moment in the search for extraterrestrial life.
The study investigates how well bacterial spores maintain their structural and morphological biosignatures after exposure to harsh conditions simulating the surfaces of Enceladus and Europa. It finds that spore structure remains resilient even after exposure to radiation and temperature extremes, suggesting that methods targeting cell morphology could be valuable for future life detection missions.
