Astronomers Detect Possible Sign of Life on a Planet 120 Light-Years Away (2025)

And should the group be able to prove the existence of life on K2-18b, considering the infiniteness of the universe, it has major implications for future discovery.

"If we confirm that there is life on K2-18b,” Dr. Madhusudhan added, “it should basically confirm that life is very common in the galaxy."

As he explained, "If there is one example, and the universe being infinite, there is a chance for life on many more planets."

Yet, while the news is promising, researchers caution against space aficionados and UFO-truthers getting ahead of themselves.

Southwest Research Institute scientist Christopher Glein told the NYT, “Unless we see E.T. waving at us, it’s not going to be a smoking gun.”

This is not the first time, however, that planet K2-18b has sent shockwaves across the universe. In 2023, an investigation with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope revealed the planet’s atmosphere to contain carbon-bearing molecules including methane and carbon dioxide.

The discovery, at the time, lent credence to the theory that K2-18b was an example of a hycean planet, or a hypothetical type of exoplanet characterized by a hydrogen-rich atmosphere covering an ocean-covered surface.

Hycean planets—their name coming from a portmanteau of “hydrogen” and “ocean”—are considered promising candidates for extraterrestrial life.

As Dr. Madhusudhan, who was also involved in this 2023 discovery, said at the time, “Our ultimate goal is the identification of life on a habitable exoplanet, which would transform our understanding of our place in the universe. Our findings are a promising step towards a deeper understanding of Hycean worlds in this quest.”

This far out discovery come just days after Katy Perry, Gayle King and more launched into space on Blue Origin’s all-female flight. For more on what they—and other Hollywood celebs—have said about going to space, keep reading.