The exoplanet\u2019s surface temperature is believed to be fairly similar to that on Earth and Mars.<\/p>\n
Lead study author Collin Cherubim of Harvard University told<\/a> the BBC that \u201cthis is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star,\u201d calling it \u201ca big deal.\u201d<\/p>\n The discovery of such a planet so close to home increases the possibility that many planets may have the conditions to support life.<\/p>\n Examining LHS 1140b, researchers were able to detect its atmosphere by observing data from the transit of its star. When the planet passes between its star and the Earth, advanced telescopes can detect minuscule changes in the characteristics of the light hitting their sensors, thus revealing many details about the planet and its composition.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the planet passes in front of the star, some of that starlight filters through the atmosphere of the planet,\u201d Cherubim told<\/a> Time Magazine. \u201cIf there are any molecules or atoms like helium in the planet\u2019s atmosphere, they can absorb or block very specific wavelengths of light.\u201d<\/p>\n The scientists discovered that the planet was leaking some helium into space, confirming the presence of an atmosphere.<\/p>\n The scientists stressed that they have no evidence at this time of life existing on LHS 1140b. But the conditions on its surface put it \u201cat the forefront for studying astrobiology and habitability and looking for life outside the solar system,\u201d Cherubim said.<\/p>\n Since the 1990s, scientists have discovered some 6,000 planets outside our solar system, but only a handful are in what is called the \u201cGoldilocks zone\u201d \u2014 neither too hot or too cold \u2014 that could host liquid water, a key ingredient for life.<\/p>\n The James Webb Space Telescope, which can see farther into the universe than anything before it, has turbocharged the search for planets beyond the Solar System since coming online in 2022.<\/p>\n AFP contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The war with Iran has been draining for all of us in Israel. But when I heard about a high casualty incident \u2013 ballistic missile impacts in Arad and Dimona that left nearly 200 people wounded \u2013 I drank a cup of coffee, packed a bag, and headed south.<\/p>\n There, I spoke with Shilgit, the head of an after-school program for underprivileged youth. Standing outside her destroyed center, Shilgit said it was a miracle that no children were hurt and spoke about the community coming together in the hours since.<\/p>\n As a Times of Israel reporter, I\u2019m committed to telling stories of resilience like Shilgit\u2019s. But my colleagues and I can’t do this alone. If you value work like this,<\/strong> please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community.<\/strong> Your financial support is essential to keep real human reporting like this going.<\/p>\n \u2014 Stav Levaton, military reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tWe can’t do this work alone.\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-4-200x200.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
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\n\t\t\t\tYes, I’ll join\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/334x334-200x200.png\" "\\"\\"\/")
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