On Earth, dimethyl sulfide is produced overwhelmingly by life in the oceans and escapes into the atmosphere. JWST has now picked up a tantalising possible signature of the same molecule around K2-18 b, 120 light-years away — but the detection remains disputed, and scientists are still trying to determine whether non-biological chemistry could produce it.

Webb's possible DMS signature on K2-18 b survives as a disputed candidate, while 2026 chemistry and retrieval studies show why neither the molecule nor its origin is settled. The post On Earth, dimethyl sulfide is produced overwhelmingly by life in the oceans and escapes into the atmosphere. JWST has now picked up a tantalising possible signature of the same molecule around K2-18 b, 120 light-years away — but the detection remains disputed, and scientists are still trying to determine whether non-biological chemistry could produce it. appeared first on Space Daily .