標題：Astronomers Detect a Possible Signature of Life on a Distant Planet

副標題：Further studies are needed to determine whether K2-18b, which orbits a star 120 light - years away, is inhabited, or even habitable.

正文：The search for life beyond Earth has led scientists to explore many suggestive mysteries, from plumes of methane on Mars to clouds of phosphine gas on Venus. But as far as we can tell, Earth’s inhabitants remain alone in the cosmos.

知識點：plumes n.

a large quantity of smoke, dust, fire, or water that rises into the air in a column; a large, soft bird' s feather; a bunch of long, thin pieces of material which is used to decorate something such as a soldier' s helmet （塵、火、水等升起的）（一）股，（一）團；羽毛；（戰(zhàn)士頭盔等的）羽飾

One witness said he saw a fireball rise up into the air, another said he could see plumes of black smoke pouring into the night sky.一名目擊者稱，他看到了一個火球升上了天空；而另外一名目擊者也說，他看到了夜空中升起了大塊的濃煙。

The dancer wore a headdress of pink ostrich plumes.那位舞蹈演員戴著粉色鴕鳥毛制作的頭飾。

獲取外刊的完整原文以及精講筆記，請關注微信公眾號「早安英文」，回復“外刊”即可。更多有意思的英語干貨等著你！