Atmosphere On 'Earth-Like' Planet Detected for First Time
The helium signal suggests the planet has kept an atmosphere for billions of years, strengthening hopes that rocky habitable-zone worlds can retain air.
- On Thursday, July 16, 2026, astronomers published a study in Science confirming the first detection of an atmosphere on a rocky exoplanet named LHS 1140 b, which orbits within its star's habitable zone.
- Despite the violent reputations of M dwarf stars, which often strip atmospheres from planets, this 'super-Earth' located 49 light-years away has retained a helium-dominated atmosphere for more than 3 billion years.
- Lead author Collin Cherubim of Harvard University predicted the helium signature using a computer model, which the team validated by observing the planet with Magellan Telescopes in Chile.
- The detection positions LHS 1140 b as a potential 'helium world' with liquid water, though Cherubim cautioned the atmosphere is likely very different from Earth's.
- This milestone provides the strongest evidence yet that rocky, habitable-zone worlds can maintain protective atmospheres, offering a critical new target for astrobiology and the search for life.
108 Articles
108 Articles
'It's absolutely exciting!': Astronomers discover an atmosphere around an Earth-like planet in the habitable zone for first time ever
Astronomers have found the strongest evidence yet that a rocky planet beyond our solar system has managed to hold onto an atmosphere — a crucial ingredient for life as we know it. The discovery marks the first time scientists have detected an atmosphere surrounding a rocky planet orbiting in the habitable zone of another star, the region around a star where temperatures could enable liquid water to exist on a planet's surface. The findings, publ…
It is the last feature observed on LHS 1140b, which is in a habitable area and could be rocky (but it's not the case to get too excited)
Astronomers have made a major breakthrough in the search for planets that could be suitable for life. For the first time, they have directly detected an atmosphere containing helium on a rocky planet called LHS 1140 b, located about 48 light-years from Earth. The planet orbits in the habitable zone of its star, which means that it could theoretically have conditions for liquid water. The discovery is important because it is the first example of …
An atmosphere was discovered on the planet LHS 1140b with a mass 5.6 times that of Earth.
Astronomët kanë zbuluar per hereë të parë një atmosphereë rreth një planeti shkëmbor që ndodhet në suns and banueshme të yllit të tide. Bëhet fjalë për një “super-Tokë” të quajtur LHS 1140 b, dhe ky zbulim perbën një hap të rëndësishëm në kërkimin e botëve që mund të jenë të përshtatshme per jetë. Deri më tani, atmosferat ishin zbuluar vetëm te planetët gjigantë të gaztë, shkruan ScienceAlert.Kërkimi per botë të banueshme bazohet në dy kritere k…
Scientists Find First Atmosphere on Earth-Like Rocky Planet LHS 1140b in Habitable Zone | 🔬 LatestLY
Researchers have found the first atmosphere surrounding an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of a distant star. The researchers say that their discovery provides the strongest evidence yet that worlds with conditions similar to Earth could exist beyond our solar system. 🔬 Scientists Find First Atmosphere on Earth-Like Rocky Planet LHS 1140b in Habitable Zone.
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