Webb Space Telescope Discovers Essential Molecules on Exoplanet K2-18 b
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected carbon-bearing molecules, including methane and carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b. The presence of these molecules suggests the possibility of a water ocean underneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere on the exoplanet, which is 8.6 times the mass of Earth and located in the habitable zone. This discovery provides insights into the potential habitability of exoplanets and raises interesting prospects for finding life elsewhere in the universe. Further observations with Webb's MIRI spectrograph are planned to validate these findings and gain a deeper understanding of the environmental conditions on K2-18 b.