A recent study by the University of Cambridge suggests that the planet K2-18b, located 120 light-years away, may harbor life due to its unique atmosphere rich in chemicals associated with living organisms. Researchers describe K2-18b as a 'hycean' world, indicating it has a rocky surface, hydrogen-rich atmosphere, and possibly oceans teeming with life similar to Earth's phytoplankton. The findings imply that K2-18b could be among millions of exoplanets capable of supporting life, as we have only explored a fraction of the universe's galaxies.
Planet K2-18b is a suspected 'hycean' world - a rocky planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and vast oceans of water.
If it does turn out that K2-18b has life, then it is virtually guaranteed that there are million more exoplanets harbouring extraterrestrial life.
We've only sampled a 'tiny, tiny percentage of planets' in our galaxy alone, using various space and Earth-based telescopes.
The universe as a whole surely has many more planets waiting to be found that have conditions right for life to thrive.
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