There’s growing evidence of possible life on other planets – here’s why you should still be sceptical

Artist's impression of K2-18 b. NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

A team of researchers has recently claimed they have discovered a gas called dimethyl sulphide (DMS) in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet orbiting a distant star.

The University of Cambridge team’s claims are potentially very exciting because, on Earth at least, the compound is produced by marine bacteria. The presence of this gas may be a sign of life on K2-18b too – but we can’t rush to conclusions just yet.