New insights into extraterrestrial life

The announcement by a team of scientists of Cambridge University that they have detected possible signs of life on a faraway planet has caused a sensation and revived discussions about extraterrestrial life. The signs were found on an exoplanet twice the size of earth orbiting a red dwarf star 124 light years away. The planet, named K218b, discovered in 2015, has been under the gaze of scientists ever since. The Cambridge scientists have found unique chemical features in the atmosphere of the planet similar to those caused by microbial activity in the oceans of the earth. That has led to speculation that K218b possesses an ocean which may be harbouring life. There are views that the planet, which moves around its star in an area regarded as congenial for the formation of life, has other characteristics supportive of life. 

The scientists say the "findings are the strongest evidence yet that life may exist on a planet outside the solar system." But they are also circumspect, and the leader of the team, Prof Nikku Madhusudhan, alumnus of IIT-Benares, believes that the team could realistically "confirm this signal within one to two years". The scientists will continue their experiments and calculations which they hope will strengthen the evidence found so far. Independent scientists also hold the view that it is necessary to collect more data before reaching any conclusions. It has also been noted that observations said to point to the presence of life on the planet may not always be reliable. For example, it is claimed that the chemical patterns that are considered a biomarker need not always be so. 

The professor says it is an important moment for science and perhaps "for us as a species". The question whether we are alone in the universe has haunted us for long. It is claimed that there are tens of thousands of planets that may be able to harbour life. But there is still no clarity about what exactly life is. Very often the nature of life as seen on earth is projected outside the planet and its signs are sought. There are questions about why signals sent from the earth to beings supposed to be living in other parts of the universe are not responded to. There are also warnings that it is a dangerous pursuit which may lead to the annihilation of life on earth. In any case, it is certain that the search will continue, and it is not just about others but also about ourselves.