19Apr 2025 by Post

Fact Check: Did Scientists Really Detect Evidence of Life on Exoplanet K2-18b?

Astronomer Royal, astronomers, atmosphere, BBC News, Big Think, biosignature, Catherine Heymans, CBC, Christopher Glein, CNN, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl sulfide, earth, exoplanet, Hyacean ocean planet, Intelligent Design, K2-18b, magma, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, molten rock, Neptune, New York Times, Nora Hänni, Oliver Shorttle, phytoplankton algae, Planetology, rocky planet, Sara Seager, Science (journal), Science Reporting, Sky at Night Magazine, solar system, Southwest Research Institute, University of Bern
The molecule is dimethyl sulfide (DMS) or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and on Earth its sole known source is life (specifically, marine phytoplankton algae). Source
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20Nov 2019 by Post

Another “Earth-Like” Planet Found? Or More Fake Science News?

Discovery Institute, fake news, Guillermo Gonzalez, habitability, habitable zone, ID The Future, Jay Richards, journalism, K2-18b, liquid water, News Media, Physics, Earth & Space, Podcast, press release, Privileged Planet, rain, red dwarf, science, science writers
“Of course some science writers really jumped on this, and excitedly thought, ‘Oh! Liquid water, within the habitable zone’” — and here he gasps — “‘therefore, LIFE!’” So says astronomer and Discovery Institute Senior Fellow Guillermo Gonzalez about recent media reports of yet another alien “Earth-like” planet, this one romantically named K2-18b, orbiting a red dwarf star 124 light years from us. Sample headline, “It’s got water and the right temperature: Planet found that could support life.” Rain may bespatter the surface (if it has a solid surface, which seems doubtful) of K2-18b. “That’s all you need!” exclaims Jay Richards, who co-authored Privileged Planet with Gonzalez. The two have fun with the science news on a new episode of ID the Future. Despite the hype, Dr. Gonzalez concludes, “This is definitely not…
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