Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected potential signs of life on the exoplanet K2-18b, located 124 light-years away.

The team found two chemicals, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide, which are typically produced by life on Earth.

While the findings suggest the possibility of biological activity, researchers caution that more observations are needed to confirm these results.

K2-18b, an ocean world in the “habitable zone” of its star, could harbor microbial life, though some scientists remain skeptical, suggesting the chemicals may have non-biological origins, the Times of Israel has reported.

This discovery brings astronomers closer to answering whether life exists beyond our solar system.

Written by B.C. Begley