planet called K2-18 b:Exoplanet K2-18 b. Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI) Science: Nikku Madhusudhan (IoA)

Scientists may have found the strongest sign of possible life beyond our solar system.

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, they detected two gases—dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)—on a .

K2-18 b is an exoplanet in the constellation Leo. It orbits a small red dwarf star named K2-18, which is less than half the size of our Sun. The planet is about 124 light-years from Earth, almost nine times heavier than Earth, and 2.6 times bigger.

Back in 2019, the Hubble Space Telescope found signs of water vapor in its atmosphere. That led scientists to call it the most promising place for life outside our solar system.

planet called K2-18 b:Exoplanet K2-18 b. Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI) Science: Nikku Madhusudhan (IoA)