Broccoli Emits Gas That Can Point To Existence Of Life On Alien Planets

Scientists think that broccoli (and its alien equivalents) can emit gases that point to the presence of life on strange planets. Yep, you read that right. Broccoli, algae, and various other plants and microbes on Earth get rid of toxins by turning them into gases. This process is called methylation.

Now, scientists think that the presence of such gases could be detected using instruments aboard the legendary James Webb Space Telescope.

A new study by planetary scientist Michaela Leung from the University of California, Riverside says that it's very unlikely for something that is not a living being to emit these gases.

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Finding traces of life through broccoli

Methylation is so widespread on Earth, we expect life anywhere else to perform it... Most cells have mechanisms for expelling harmful substances... There are limited ways to create this gas through non-biological means, so it is more indicative of life if you find it," Leung said in a statement.

While there's a small chance that such gases could be expelled from volcanic eruptions, living organisms are the most likely producers of methylated gases. These gases show up in the mid-infrared, implying that James Webb Space Telescope could, in theory, find gas particles floating in a planet's atmosphere.

Also read: 'Planet Killer' Asteroid Hiding Behind The Sun's Glare May Hit Earth One Day

But not all gases are equal. As Space.com explained, even though methane is more likely to come from biological sources (even ones that might be decaying), it could just be a product of reactions not involving life.

NASA

On the other hand, methyl bromide (a gas that doesn't stay too long in a planet's atmosphere) is the most sought after signifier of life. Methyl bromide is more detectable, but scientists will also look for methyl chloride in the near-future.

Also read: This Newly Found Planet Is Very Similar To A Marshmallow: Here's Why

Mind you, it's not a straightforward process. It could take over a hundred trips to the vicinity of an exoplanet to find traces of methylated gases, even with James Webb Space Telescope's powerful tools (like the NIRSpec instrument).

But if found, it would most probably signify the existence of life on that planet - answering a key existential question that has plagued humanity for centuries - are we alone in the universe?

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Findings from the study were published in a paper in The Astrophysical Journal.

What do you think about this strange but exciting finding about alien life? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

Bernstein, J. (2022, October 10). Broccoli gas: a better way to find life in space. News. https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2022/10/10/broccoli-gas-better-way-find-life-space

Rayne, E. (2022, November 8). What¡¯s that smell? Broccoli emits gas that could signal presence of alien life. Space.com. https://www.space.com/broccoli-gas-life-on-other-planets