Does Planet K2-18b Show Signs of Life?
Exoplanets, or extrasolar planets, are planets that are outside our solar system and so therefore orbit stars other than our sun. The quest to discover these worlds has added to our understanding of the universe, challenging our preconceived notions of planetary systems. It wasn't until the 1990s that the first confirmed exoplanets were discovered, expanding the field of astronomy and giving more credence to the notion that we are not alone in the world. Since then, the search for exoplanets has become a central focus of astrophysical research, employing advanced technology and innovative methods to peer deeper into space than ever before. What is K2-18b? Among the thousands of exoplanets discovered so far, K2-18b stands out as one of the most intriguing. Located in the constellation of Leo, approximately 124 light-years from Earth, K2-18b orbits within the habitable zone of its star, K2-18. This zone, often referred to as the "Goldilocks zone," is the reg