The James Webb Space Telescope recently spotted a distant exoplanet known as K2-18b, situated 120 light-years away within the Leo constellation.
This exoplanet, designated as a “Hycean world,” presents exciting prospects in the quest for extraterrestrial life. Positioned within the habitable zone of a red dwarf star, K2-18b boasts a substantial size, an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide, and a notable absence of ammonia. These characteristics suggest the potential presence of a hydrogen-rich atmosphere enveloping a potential water ocean beneath, reminiscent of conditions conducive to life’s emergence on Earth.
K2-18b’s distinctive attributes render it an engaging subject for further investigation, contributing significantly to the ongoing exploration of potentially habitable exoplanets.