All articles tagged with #lhs 1140b
Astronomers observing LHS 1140b, a rocky planet in its star’s habitable zone, detected helium escaping from its outer atmosphere, suggesting it has a helium-rich atmosphere and may host conditions suitable for life; the inner atmospheric composition and actual presence of water aren’t confirmed, and findings require replication with future observations.
Astronomers have detected helium in the upper atmosphere of LHS 1140b, a rocky Earth-like planet in the habitable zone about 48 light-years away, marking the first confirmed atmosphere on a rocky world in such a zone; future observations with JWST will probe deeper for signs of life, while its companion LHS 1140c appears to lack an atmosphere.
Researchers report the first observational evidence of an atmosphere on a rocky exoplanet in its star’s habitable zone—LHS 1140b, about 49 light-years away—raising the possibility of surface liquid water and making it a prime target for studying habitability around red dwarfs. The team observed helium escaping from the planet in 2024 with a Magellan telescope infrared spectrograph, a signal later not detected in 2025, but after ruling out false positives they say the discovery marks a crucial step toward understanding life-supporting conditions beyond our solar system, while LHS 1140c shows no detectable atmosphere.
A recent study suggests that the exoplanet LHS 1140b, located 50 light-years away, may be a life-friendly water world due to its mass and orbit around an M-type star. Discovered in 2017, LHS 1140b was initially thought to be rocky, but further analysis indicates it could contain significant water or have a light element-filled atmosphere. The James Webb Space Telescope may provide more insight into the exoplanet's composition in the future, potentially making it a prime candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life.
A new study suggests that the exoplanet LHS 1140b, located 50 light-years away, may be a water world with the potential for life. The planet, discovered in 2017, is in the habitable zone of its star and could be rich in water or possess a substantial atmosphere. The James Webb Space Telescope may provide further insight into the planet's composition and habitability. If confirmed as a water world, LHS 1140b could become a prime target in the search for extraterrestrial life.