LHS 1140b, a super-Earth 39 light-years away, may have the right conditions for life.
Key Takeaways:
- Astronomers have discovered LHS 1140b, a rocky planet in the habitable zone of a red dwarf star.
- This exoplanet is considered one of the most promising candidates for finding alien life.
- Unlike many planets around red dwarfs, LHS 1140b is not bombarded with extreme radiation.
- Scientists believe a past magma ocean could have replenished its atmosphere with water vapor.
- Measuring 40% larger than Earth with seven times the mass, LHS 1140b likely has a dense, iron core.
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A newly discovered rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf star has emerged as one of the best candidates for finding alien life. Named LHS 1140b, the exoplanet lies 39 light-years away in the habitable zone of its star, where conditions could allow liquid water to exist. Scientists detected the planet when it passed in front of its star, casting a faint shadow observed by the MEarth-South Observatory in Chile.
A Promising Target for Life
The discovery, led by Jason Dittmann of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, was published in Nature and has been hailed as one of the most exciting exoplanet findings in a decade. Unlike other planets orbiting red dwarfs, LHS 1140b is not exposed to high-energy radiation that could strip away its atmosphere. This makes it a strong candidate for further study in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Astronomers speculate that the planet may have once hosted a global magma ocean, which could have released steam into its atmosphere, helping to maintain a water supply. Observations from the European Southern Observatory in Chile reveal that LHS 1140b is about 40% larger than Earth but has seven times the mass, suggesting a rocky composition with a dense, iron-rich core.
What Comes Next?
Recent years have seen many exoplanet discoveries, with each new find reshaping the search for life beyond Earth. In February, scientists announced the TRAPPIST-1 system, which contains seven Earth-sized planets, some in the habitable zone. Before that, Proxima b, just four light-years away, was a leading candidate.
LHS 1140b, however, stands out because it orbits a relatively calm star and may still have an atmosphere. Future telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, will be able to analyze its atmosphere in greater detail, potentially revealing signs of habitability. As the search for life continues, LHS 1140b represents one of the most exciting destinations for future exploration.
