'It's absolutely exciting!': Astronomers discover an atmosphere around an Earth-like planet in the habitable zone for first time ever - Live Science
Astronomers have detected an atmosphere around the exoplanet LHS 1140 b, a rocky super-Earth located in its star's habitable zone. This discovery is a significant milestone in the search for life beyond our solar system.
Why it matters
Finding atmospheres on rocky, habitable-zone planets is a major step toward identifying potentially life-supporting environments in the universe.
Astronomers have detected helium escaping from the super-Earth LHS 1140 b, providing the strongest evidence yet that a rocky planet in another star's habitable zone has retained an atmosphere for billions of years.
By Olivia Maule Edited by Brandon Specktor , James Price Published 19 July 2026 In News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
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