Cambridge/New Delhi, April 17, 2025: In a discovery that could potentially reshape our understanding of life in the universe, scientists have found strong indications of life-supporting conditions on a distant exoplanet named K2-18b, located more than 120 light-years away in the Leo constellation. The groundbreaking research is led by Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan, an Indian-origin astrophysicist and professor at the University of Cambridge.
Using advanced data collected by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the team identified carbon-rich molecules—specifically methane and carbon dioxide—in the exoplanet’s atmosphere. This chemical cocktail, often associated with biological processes, raises hopes of possible extraterrestrial life beyond Earth.
A Potential “Hycean” World
K2-18b is not your typical rocky planet. It falls into a unique category known as a “sub-Neptune”, with a size about 2.6 times larger and mass 8.6 times greater than Earth. It orbits within the habitable zone of its parent star—K2-18, a red dwarf—where conditions may allow liquid water to exist.
Researchers believe K2-18b may be a “Hycean world”—a relatively new class of planets theorized to have hydrogen-rich atmospheres and possibly global oceans. These features make them compelling candidates in the search for alien life, even if they differ significantly from Earth.
Webb Telescope’s Stunning Detection
The breakthrough comes from JWST’s sensitive instruments—NIRISS (Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph) and NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph)—which picked up hints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the planet’s atmosphere. On Earth, DMS is produced solely by living organisms, primarily by marine phytoplankton.
Although NASA has cautioned that this finding remains unconfirmed, scientists are optimistic. “This is the strongest evidence yet that life could exist beyond Earth,” said Dr. Madhusudhan in a statement to the BBC. “We are probably one to two years away from confidently confirming it.”
Who is Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan?
Hailing from India, Dr. Madhusudhan is a leading name in exoplanetary research, focusing on atmospheres, interiors, and biosignatures. He earned his undergraduate degree from IIT-BHU and pursued graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Over the years, he has held esteemed research positions at Yale, Princeton, and Cambridge.
His work is revolutionizing how scientists define habitability, pushing boundaries beyond Earth-like conditions and exploring the possibilities of life on Hycean-type planets.
“If we confirm life on K2-18b,” Dr. Madhusudhan noted, “it could indicate that life is far more common in the galaxy than we ever imagined.”
The team will continue their investigation of K2-18b through further JWST observations in the coming months. Additionally, the upcoming Ariel mission by the European Space Agency (ESA)—slated for launch in 2029—aims to study the atmospheres of exoplanets like K2-18b in greater detail.
This marks a thrilling moment for the global scientific community and for India, whose scientists continue to contribute significantly to cutting-edge space research. As telescopes grow more powerful and exploration expands, the possibility that we are not alone in the universe feels more tangible than ever before.
