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Scientists are closer to answering the question "Are we alone?" For centuries, astronomers have observed the heavens for signs of extraterrestrial life. Now, a team of astronomers say they have detected two chemicals that provide the conditions for life. An astrophysicist from the University of Cambridge announced the existence of two chemicals called DMS and DMDS. These represent the potential fingerprints of life. On Earth, the chemicals are only produced by microorganisms. DMS and DMDS are "the most promising signs yet" of life.
The two chemicals were discovered on a planet called K2-18b. This is about 124 light years from Earth. The astrophysicist believes the planet might be a Hycean world. This is a potentially habitable planet covered in liquid water. He said a Hycean world is one with an ocean "that is teeming with life". He said the data from K2-18b "best fits" that kind of world. However, he stopped short of stating that life exists on the planet. He was only 99.7% sure. He said he needed to be 99.99994% certain to state as fact that we are not alone.
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