Astronomers detect first atmosphere on rocky habitable-zone exoplanet
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Astronomers have detected the first confirmed atmosphere around a rocky planet in another star's habitable zone. The planet, LHS 1140 b, revealed its atmosphere through helium slowly leaking into space. Located 48 light-years away, the world may have preserved its atmosphere for billions of years, making it a promising target in the search for potentially habitable planets.
The Discovery
The study, published July 16 in Science, describes observations of helium escaping from LHS 1140 b, a rocky exoplanet about 48 light-years from Earth. Lead author Collin Cherubim, who recently earned his Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Harvard University, said: 'This is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star.' The signal supports earlier theoretical predictions that the planet possesses an atmosphere.
The Planet and Its Star
LHS 1140 b circles a red dwarf star within its habitable zone, the region where temperatures may allow liquid water on the surface. Scientists have identified thousands of exoplanets, including several rocky worlds in habitable zones, but confirming atmospheres has been extremely difficult. Robin Wordsworth, Gordon McKay Professor at Harvard and Cherubim's advisor, noted: 'Twenty years ago we wondered whether other terrestrial-type planets even existed. Now we know at least one has kept an atmosphere.'
Significance for Habitability
The discovery offers the strongest evidence so far that Earth-like planets with atmospheres may exist beyond our solar system. 'An atmosphere is essential for a planet to support life as we know it,' Cherubim said. The planet may have preserved its atmosphere for billions of years, making it a prime candidate for further study in the search for potentially habitable worlds.
What's Next
Researchers plan to use the James Webb Space Telescope to study LHS 1140 b's atmosphere in more detail. It remains unclear whether the planet's atmosphere contains molecules like oxygen or methane that could indicate biological activity.
1 source
Astronomers detect first atmosphere on rocky habitable-zone exoplanet
