Strongest evidence of extraterrestrial life found

Scientists have just announced a series of discoveries that are considered the “strongest evidence” for the possibility of extraterrestrial life, opening a new chapter in the field of astronomy and astrobiology.

1. Biogas on planet K2-18b

In 2025, a research team using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered traces of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of planet K2-18b, 124 light years from Earth. These are compounds that on Earth are only produced by life, such as marine phytoplankton.

K2-18b is classified as a Hycean world - an ocean planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, located in the "habitable zone" of its host star, where liquid water is likely to exist.

 Notably, the DMS/DMDS detection level has a scientific confidence level of about 3σ (~99.7%), which is a thousand times higher than that of Earth, making the biological origin hypothesis reasonable. However, scientists remain cautious, emphasizing that more observations are needed to rule out the possibility that these compounds were formed by non-biological processes. 

2. “Building blocks of life” from asteroid Bennu 

In the Solar System, NASA has also just announced the results from the asteroid Bennu sample brought back by the OSIRIS-REx mission. The analysis showed the presence of amino acids, nitrogen-containing compounds, sodium minerals, and even traces of the primitive “genetic code”. 

This finding reinforces the panspermia hypothesis – the idea that life on Earth may have originated from organic components brought by asteroids or comets. 

 3. Potential for icy moons

The two moons Enceladus (Saturn) and Europa (Jupiter) have long been considered “strong candidates” for life. Data from the Cassini spacecraft has shown that Enceladus erupts with plumes of organic-rich water vapor from its subglacial ocean.

NASA now has high hopes for the Europa Clipper mission, scheduled to arrive at Europa in 2030, to directly search for biological signs in the ice and deep ocean below.

4. Controversial traces

Previously, the meteorite ALH84001 from Mars caused a stir when it was said to contain microscopic structures similar to fossilized bacteria. But so far, this hypothesis has not reached a consensus in the scientific community and is often considered weak evidence.

 Location/Source High Evidence Convincing Leve lK2-18bDMS/DMDS Detection – Biogas Strongest to Date Bennu Amino acids, nitrogen, organic compounds Possible origin of extraterrestrial life Enceladus/Europa Liquid water + organic compounds High potential, awaiting exploration missionALH84001 (Mars)Microbial-like microstructure Controversial, lack of solid evidence

The discovery of biogas on planet K2-18b is currently considered the strongest evidence for the possibility of extraterrestrial life. However, the scientific community emphasizes that more data is needed before a firm assertion can be made.

Meanwhile, samples from Bennu and missions to Enceladus and Europa will continue to be important milestones, bringing humanity closer to answering the eternal question: Are we alone in the universe?

Source: AP News

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US accelerates plan to build nuclear reactor on the Moon

 

Photo Image ArtStation

In the context of the "Space Race 2.0" is heating up, the US is strongly promoting the nuclear reactor project to serve long-term missions on the Moon, with the goal of putting it into operation before 2030.

NASA and the US Department of Energy are currently cooperating with many corporations such as Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse and the Intuitive Machines - X-Energy alliance to develop the Fission Surface Power Project - a 40 kW power supply system, enough to maintain operations for about 30 US households, with a minimum lifespan of 10 years and fully automatic operation.

According to the new requirements issued in 2025, the design will be upgraded to 100 kW, aiming to meet the energy needs of lunar bases within the framework of the Artemis program, while creating a strategic advantage over China and Russia. The preferred location for deployment is the Moon’s South Pole, an area believed to contain permanent water ice and favorable for resource exploitation. 

Experts say nuclear power is the only solution to maintain continuous operations during the “lunar night” conditions that last longer than 14 Earth days, when solar panels cannot provide electricity. At the same time, placing a reactor in a key location can create a significant “zone of influence”, shaping the activities of other countries there. 

The US has previously tested small nuclear power sources for space, such as SNAP-27 during the Apollo mission or the SP-100 project. However, this is the first time a lunar nuclear reactor plan has been scheduled for actual deployment, with a specific timeline and technology. 

Source: Euronews, NASA, Wired, Space.com

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Northern Hemisphere Warming Faster Than Southern Hemisphere

Causes and Latest Data

Modern climate studies confirm that the Northern Hemisphere is warming faster than the Southern Hemisphere – a trend that has been consistently recorded for decades.

Scientists say there are four main reasons for this:

Unbalanced land-ocean distribution

About 68% of the Earth's land area is in the Northern Hemisphere. Land absorbs and releases heat faster than the ocean, making this region more sensitive to climate change.

The Ice Effect

The Northern Hemisphere has huge ice fields such as the Arctic and Greenland. When ice melts, darker surfaces (land, sea) are exposed, absorbing more heat, creating a positive feedback loop that accelerates warming.

Climate Characteristics of the Southern Hemisphere

The Southern Hemisphere is 80% ocean, which helps absorb and disperse heat more slowly, thereby reducing the rate of surface temperature increase.

Ocean Currents and Monsoons

Major ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream transport huge amounts of heat northward. Combined with monsoon systems and atmospheric circulation, more heat is transported to the northern polar regions.

According to data from NASA GISS and NOAA, the average temperature of the Northern Hemisphere has increased by about 1.4–1.6°C since the late 19th century, while the Southern Hemisphere has only increased by about 0.8–1.0°C during the same period.

This phenomenon is raising concerns about the rate of ice melting in the Arctic, rising sea levels and extreme climate fluctuations that may occur in the near future.

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NASA discovers signs of past life on Mars

NASA has confirmed that it has detected seasonal variations in methane, and minerals like phyllosilicates may be indirect signs of conditions that supported life in the past. But this only indicates the potential for past life, not direct biological evidence of microorganisms or “Earth-like” organisms.

Video photo

Seasonal variations in methane: NASA’s Curiosity rover has detected seasonal increases and decreases in methane levels in Gale Crater. On Earth, most methane is produced by biological activity (microorganisms or the decomposition of organic matter), but it can also form through geological processes. So methane on Mars is an interesting clue but not enough to confirm the presence of life.

Video photo

Phyllosilicates (clay): This type of mineral forms when rocks interact with liquid water for a long time.  Their presence suggests that Mars once had a moist environment that could have supported microbial life. 

To date, NASA has not found direct evidence (e.g. bacterial cells, DNA, proteins, etc.) that life has existed or is present on Mars. All remain at the level of potential signs that need further verification.

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