What is the significance of the discovery of the exoplanet with an atmosphere of methane?

The discovery of an exoplanet with an atmosphere containing methane is significant because it is an important step in the search for life beyond our solar system. Methane is a key indicator of biological activity on Earth, as it is produced by many forms of life, including bacteria, and it is a greenhouse gas that could trap heat and make a planet habitable.

The exoplanet in question, known as K2-18b, is a super-Earth that orbits a red dwarf star located about 124 light-years away from us. Astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to study the planet's atmosphere and found both water vapor and methane. This marks the first time that both of these gases have been detected in the atmosphere of an exoplanet.

While the discovery of methane on K2-18b does not necessarily mean that there is life on the planet, it does provide an exciting target for future observations with more advanced telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, which is scheduled to launch in 2021. By studying the atmosphere of K2-18b and other exoplanets like it, scientists hope to better understand the conditions necessary for life and potentially discover signs of life beyond our solar system.