Scientists have confirmed the presence of an atmosphere on LHS 1140b, a rocky exoplanet located 49 light years from Earth.
This marks the first time an atmosphere has been observationally confirmed on a rocky planet in the habitable zone outside our solar system.
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The discovery suggests that LHS 1140b could have liquid water on its surface, making it a key target in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Dr. Collin Cherubim, lead author of the study, called the finding a significant advancement in astrobiology.
Key Characteristics of LHS 1140b
LHS 1140b has the necessary components for habitability, including a rocky surface, suitable temperatures for liquid water, and an atmosphere that protects against harmful radiation.
The planet orbits a small red dwarf star in the constellation Cetus, which is less bright than the sun but emits more ionizing radiation.
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Cherubim described the planet as an exciting place to continue searching for signs of life.
The study used data captured in 2024 with an infrared spectrograph at the Magellan Clay telescope in Chile.
The research team detected helium escaping from LHS 1140b, confirming it was not from Earth's atmospheric contamination.
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Another rocky planet in the same system, LHS 1140c, did not show signs of an atmosphere.
