Alex Wilkins
@alexwilkins.bsky.social
Scientists often have disagreements about how to interpret data and results, but it's quite remarkable just how wide the range of interpretations has become for whether we have found life on K2-18b.
May 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Scientists often have disagreements about how to interpret data and results, but it's quite remarkable just how wide the range of interpretations has become for whether we have found life on K2-18b.
Nikku Madhusudhan, one of the original researchers, said this makes him "slightly more confident" the original detection of the apparent biomolecule dimethyl sulphide was correct.
But other researchers have the opposite view, saying it is a "major change in interpretation within just one month".
But other researchers have the opposite view, saying it is a "major change in interpretation within just one month".
May 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Nikku Madhusudhan, one of the original researchers, said this makes him "slightly more confident" the original detection of the apparent biomolecule dimethyl sulphide was correct.
But other researchers have the opposite view, saying it is a "major change in interpretation within just one month".
But other researchers have the opposite view, saying it is a "major change in interpretation within just one month".
Their online splash was different, which is maybe what you're remembering bsky.app/profile/rowh...
Alien life has NOT just been discovered, contrary to the impression given by some news outlets.
April 25, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Their online splash was different, which is maybe what you're remembering bsky.app/profile/rowh...
It's important to find whether alternative abiotic processes exist, but they would also need to be capable of producing the right amount of DMS too, or explain how they can deliver it to an atmosphere. Again, for a hypothetical 5 sigma watertight detection.
April 17, 2025 at 11:36 AM
It's important to find whether alternative abiotic processes exist, but they would also need to be capable of producing the right amount of DMS too, or explain how they can deliver it to an atmosphere. Again, for a hypothetical 5 sigma watertight detection.
True - but another caveat to the caveat. The apparent concentrations of DMS, *if true* (big if), are far greater than the small concentrations found in comets, and would require an insanely high rate of cometary delivery to sustain the levels that might be in K2-18b's atmosphere.
April 17, 2025 at 11:35 AM
True - but another caveat to the caveat. The apparent concentrations of DMS, *if true* (big if), are far greater than the small concentrations found in comets, and would require an insanely high rate of cometary delivery to sustain the levels that might be in K2-18b's atmosphere.