Life-friendly world? In first, atmosphere found on Earth-like planet in habitable zone
The rocky planet, located 48 light-years away, may have liquid water on its surface; it opens a new window into the search for habitable worlds outside our Solar System
Scientists have announced the first discovery of an atmosphere on an Earth-like planet located within its star's habitable zone. The exoplanet, named LHS 1140b, is a rocky "super-Earth" 48 light-years away, 1.7 times larger than Earth, and 5.6 times its mass. Its atmosphere, confirmed to contain helium, was detected by observing changes in starlight as the planet transited its red dwarf star. Lead study author Collin Cherubim stated, "this is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star," calling it "a big deal." While no evidence of life exists, the conditions on LHS 1140b make it a prime candidate for astrobiology research.
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