Astronomers Discover Atmosphere on Rocky Exoplanet LHS 1140 b

By Rachel Kim

Astronomers have detected an atmosphere on the rocky exoplanet LHS 1140 b, which lies within the habitable zone of its solar system. This discovery represents the first direct detection of an atmospheric species, specifically helium, on a rocky exoplanet.

The findings, published in the journal Science on July 16, 2026, were led by Collin Cherubim from Harvard University, in collaboration with researchers from the Carnegie Institution for Science. LHS 1140 b was originally discovered in 2017 and orbits an older red dwarf star, completing one orbit every 24.7 days.

Spectroscopic observations have revealed the presence of helium in the planet's atmosphere, a breakthrough in the study of rocky exoplanets. Prior to this, atmospheric detections were mainly limited to larger, gas-rich planets.

This milestone positions LHS 1140 b as a prime candidate for future studies focused on biosignatures and potential habitability, advancing the search for Earth analogs beyond our solar system.