NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has discovered an exoplanet, K2-18 b, located 124 light years away, that is 2.6 times the radius and 8.6 times the mass of Earth.

The planet orbits a red dwarf star in a “habitable zone” and has a hydrogen-rich atmosphere with possible signs of life.

Key findings include the presence of methane, carbon dioxide, and dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a molecule produced by life on Earth.

While the planet’s large size may limit its habitability, the discovery has sparked excitement in the search for life beyond Earth, Unilad has reported.

Further observations are planned to explore these intriguing signs.

Written by B.C. Begley