Astronomers find the first atmosphere on a rocky world in the habitable zone

AI Summary

Astronomers have detected the first confirmed atmosphere around a rocky exoplanet, LHS 1140 b, located in its star’s habitable zone about 48 light-years away. Helium escaping from the planet suggests it has maintained its atmosphere for billions of years, indicating potential habitability.

Astronomers have found the first confirmed atmosphere around a rocky planet in another star’s habitable zone. The planet, LHS 1140 b, revealed its atmosphere through helium slowly leaking into space. Located 48 light-years away, the world may have preserved its atmosphere for billions of years, making it a promising target in the search for potentially habitable planets.