Recently, a group of scientists claimed they found possible signs of life on a planet called K2-18b. The news made headlines. Researchers said they'd detected sulphur-based gases that, on Earth, are strongly associated with life. But the research caused an uproar in astronomy circles because other scientists don't think the data is strong enough to celebrate an alien find just yet. In fact, they have some real issues with how this whole thing went down, and a new analysis casts further doubt on the findings. NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce is here to wade into the controversy — and tell us what all this means for the future of searching for life beyond our solar system. Want to hear more about new science research? Let us know by emailing [email protected] to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
What recent discovery was made on planet K2-18b?
He said there needed to be more lab work and more modeling of possible things that, like, could be going on on this planet that might make this stuff.
Like geologic processes or, like, something that didn't require life.
Yeah. And he also said the detection itself needed to be confirmed with more telescope observations to make sure that this gas or combination of gases was really there, you know. But even though he made those cautious remarks, overall, he was just extraordinarily enthusiastic. Yeah.
Frankly, I think this is the closest we have come to seeing like a feature that we can attribute to life.
And he said at a personal level, it was like a shock to the system.
When you're faced with potentially one of the biggest landmarks in the history of science. And I know this sounds grand. And it's not my intention to make it sound grand, but there is no other way to put it.
Yeah, I mean, this would be a huge deal, not just like in the history of like science, but the history of like humanity. But you said other astronomers were a little skeptical.
Yeah, I mean, it would be a huge deal if it was true. And that if is pretty important. So one of the first people I called up was Laura Kreidberg. She studies planetary atmosphere. She's at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany.
I think this is one of those situations where extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. And I'm not sure we're at the extraordinary evidence level yet. I think we need another look to get all the way there.
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