Astronomers have found evidence of an atmosphere on LHS 1140 b, a rocky exoplanet located 49 light-years from Earth within its star's habitable zone.
The discovery, published in the journal Science, marks the first time an atmosphere has been detected on a rocky world where liquid water could exist.
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Researchers identified the atmosphere by observing helium escaping from the planet using the Magellan Clay telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.
The exoplanet is about six times the mass of Earth but only 1.7 times larger, orbiting a red dwarf star at a distance that allows for Earth-like temperatures.
Because the exoplanet is estimated to be five billion years old, its continuous helium emissions indicate an existing atmosphere is actively slowing the leak of gas into space.
Atmospheric protection is considered essential for shielding a planet from cosmic radiation and maintaining stable surface temperatures required for liquid water.
“An atmosphere is essential for a planet to support life as we know it,” said Dr. Collin Cherubim of Harvard University, the lead author of the new research.
“This is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star.”
Robin Wordsworth, professor of environmental science and engineering and professor of Earth and planetary sciences at Harvard, highlighted the progression of astronomical discoveries.
“Twenty years ago, we wondered whether other terrestrial-type planets even existed. Then we learned they’re common, and found some in the habitable zone.
