Possible Life 120 Light-Years From Earth
smoking gun: strong proof that something is true
Scientists may have found a clue that life exists outside Earth. The planet named K2-18b is 120 light-years away and much larger than Earth. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers found a special gas in the planet’s air. On Earth, this gas only comes from living things in the ocean.
The gas is called dimethyl sulfide and it might mean there is life on K2-18b. The discovery excited many researchers, but they also remain cautious.
Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan from the University of Cambridge said that K2-18b may have warm oceans full of life. Planetary scientist Christopher Glein was careful not to exaggerate the discovery. He said that unless we see an alien waving at us, it’s not going to be a smoking gun.
Sample sentences
Some people didn’t believe the company was lying until someone found an old email. It was the smoking gun.
She couldn’t win the debate without a smoking gun. The final report gave her exactly what she needed.
The photo of the broken machine was a smoking gun. It showed that the factory workers were not safe.
Origin
The expression “smoking gun” comes from crime stories where someone is found holding a gun that is still smoking, showing they just used it. This clear sign proves they are guilty. Today, people use “smoking gun” to mean any clear proof of something.
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