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Earth-like Planet Found With Atmosphere!
16 Jul
Summary
- First atmosphere detected on a rocky planet in a star's habitable zone.
- Planet LhS 1140 b, 49 light-years away, has a potentially water-rich atmosphere.
- Atmosphere is likely helium-dominated, not breathable for humans.
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have detected an atmosphere surrounding LhS 1140 b, an Earth-like rocky planet situated in the habitable zone of its star. This exoplanet, located approximately 49 light-years from Earth, represents the first rocky world found with an atmosphere in a region capable of sustaining liquid water.
The presence of an atmosphere is crucial for supporting life as we know it. This finding offers the most compelling evidence to date for the existence of potentially life-supporting planets beyond our solar system. Lead author Collin Cherubim highlighted the significance, noting it's the first detection on a rocky exoplanet within its star's habitable zone.
LhS 1140 b orbits a red dwarf star named LHS 1140. While the detected atmosphere is consistent with a helium-dominated composition, Cherubim's models also predict the presence of water, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. However, the atmosphere is not considered breathable for humans, likely differing significantly from Earth's.
Previous discoveries have identified rocky planets in habitable zones, but this study is the first to confirm the presence of a long-standing atmosphere. The host star is an M dwarf, smaller and dimmer than our sun, and known for emitting high levels of radiation that can strip planetary atmospheres. This detection challenges previous assumptions about atmospheric survival around such stars.
