Astronomers have made a major breakthrough in the search for life beyond Earth; they have detected the presence of molecules essential for life in the atmosphere of a distant exoplanet. Specifically, astronomers have detected the presence of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere of a planet known as Gliese 486b, located some 26 light-years away from Earth. This is the first time astronomers have detected the presence of CO2 and methane in the atmosphere of an exoplanet. The discovery is an important step forward in the search for life in other parts of the universe, as these two molecules are essential for the formation of life as we know it. The discovery could also provide further insight into the nature of exoplanet atmospheres, and the possibility that they could harbor life.

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source: Phys.org