3 ms·
> which is only known to be produced by living organisms. Comets with DMS: https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.08724 https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.08724 And the interstel
by belter 2y ago
> which is only known to be produced by living organisms.
Comets with DMS: https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.08724 https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.08724
And the interstellar medium.
"On the abiotic origin of dimethyl sulfide: discovery of DMS in the Interstellar Medium" - https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.08892 https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.08892
"...Although the chemistry of DMS beyond Earth is yet to be fully disclosed, this discovery provides conclusive observational evidence on its efficient abiotic production in the interstellar medium, casting doubts about using DMS as a reliable biomarker in exoplanet science..."
- stogot 2y agoThank you for posting this. Really balances out all the conjecture.
- api 2y agoBut in a concentration sufficient to be visible from this far away with spectroscopy? It's not definitive but it is suggestive. A detection would require multiple pieces of evidence. We should be building specialized space telescopes designed specifically for the characterization of extrasolar planet atmospheres, since that's the best way we have to potentially detect something.