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A Cambridge team of researchers are contending the strongest indication so far of extraterrestrial life. Led by professor Nikku Madhusudhan, the group of researchers studying the atmosphere of a planet called K2-18b has detected signs of molecules that, on Earth, are produced only by living organisms like marine algae.<\/p>\n
Naturally, the astronomers behind the study, published<\/a> Wednesday in the Astrophysical Journal Letters are not jumping to any conclusive statements on the matter, but that isn\u2019t dampening excitement at the preliminary discovery. \u201cThis is a revolutionary moment,\u201d Dr. Madhusudhan said during a conference on Tuesday, while also emphasizing that no one is claiming to have found life. \u201cIt\u2019s the first time humanity has seen potential biosignatures on a habitable planet.\u201d<\/p>\n Hopes for continuing this level of research and exploration face an uphill battle as President Donald Trump<\/strong> has moved to slash NASA\u2019s science budget<\/a> by nearly half under an early version of the administration\u2019s proposed budget to Congress; terminating billions of dollars and effectively pulling the rug out from under current and potential research like Habitable Worlds Observatory, an upcoming NASA mission which could build on Dr. Madhusudhan and his team\u2019s findings.<\/p>\n