That’s exactly what’s happening now, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). In just over a year of operation, Webb has transformed our understanding of the cosmos—and it may have just spotted something truly astonishing.
Let’s talk about K2-18 b, a super-Earth about 120 light-years away. It orbits a red dwarf star, sits in the habitable zone, and may be wrapped in a thick hydrogen-rich atmosphere with a vast liquid ocean below.
But the real shock came when Webb detected dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the planet’s atmosphere.
On Earth, DMS is produced exclusively by life—specifically, by marine plankton. It’s not just a chemical. It’s a biosignature—a possible sign of life.
And for the first time in human history, we may have seen that sign on another world.
Water, Methane… and Something More?
K2-18 b isn’t Webb’s only headline. This infrared powerhouse has already detected water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide in the atmospheres of numerous exoplanets—molecules associated with biological processes here on Earth.
It has studied planets in systems like TRAPPIST-1, a collection of Earth-sized worlds just 40 light-years away, many of them orbiting in the habitable zone. These worlds are dark, tide-locked, and potentially wild—but they might also host life clinging to the narrow band of eternal twilight between heat and ice.
Webb has even glimpsed clouds made of sand on distant worlds, and seen signs of active weather cycles—wind, storms, maybe even rain—in alien atmospheres.
We’re not just discovering planets anymore. We’re reading their skies.
If We Can See Them… Can They See Us?
In Return to the Galaxy, Earth is a forgotten colony, lost in the great silence of space. But in our world, we might be the ones breaking that silence. Our planet glows with oxygen, methane, and pollution—atmospheric fingerprints that scream: “Life is here.”
If we can detect biosignatures light-years away, then it’s likely that older, more advanced civilizations could do the same… to us.
This may be the beginning of a story humanity has told for centuries. But this time, it’s real.
5 British Sci-Fi Authors Every Fan Should Know
Arthur C. Clarke
A giant of speculative fiction and co-author of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Clarke imagined satellite communication and space elevators long before they existed. His stories blend big ideas with scientific rigor—pioneering the concept of first contact in ways that feel startlingly relevant today.
John Wyndham
Author of The Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cuckoos, Wyndham’s work introduced the world to “cozy catastrophes”—apocalypses unfolding quietly in suburbia. His understated, eerie style has influenced generations of sci-fi writers with stories that feel both quaint and deeply unsettling.
Iain M. Banks
Creator of the Culture series, Banks imagined a galaxy governed by anarchic, hyper-intelligent AIs called Minds. His worlds are beautiful, brutal, and philosophical. Iain wrote my favourite book of all time of any genre—The Player of Games. If you enjoy my work, you’ll likely love his.
Peter F. Hamilton
A master of sweeping space operas, Hamilton crafts thousand-page tales filled with politics, physics, aliens, and time-spanning conflicts. His books—like Pandora’s Star—offer hard sci-fi with blockbuster pacing, packed with immersive detail and twisty plots.
Christopher Nuttall
An indie powerhouse, Nuttall is best known for his Ark Royal and The Empire’s Corps series—mixing military action, character-driven tension, and believable space politics. He’s incredibly prolific, and his fanbase proves that gripping storytelling will always win hearts in sci-fi.
I’d love to hear what sci-fi authors you grew up with—or are reading now, let me know!
Discover More Free Sci-Fi Adventures
Each month, I’ll team up with a group of talented sci-fi authors to bring you an incredible selection of free books. Whether you’re looking for thrilling space battles, deep space mysteries, or first-contact encounters, these promotions are packed with stories to fuel your imagination.
Each book is completely free to download—just follow the links below and explore new worlds. Don’t miss out, as these giveaways are only available for a limited time!
Author Spotlight: