Scientists for the first time discovered an Earth-like planet with an atmosphere
A group of American scientists has announced an important discovery in the field of astronomy. Researchers have managed to discover the rocky exoplanet LHS 1140 b, which has an atmosphere and is located in a zone where conditions for life could theoretically exist. This is the first case where an atmosphere has been confirmed for an Earth-type planet located in the so-called habitable zone, writes the BBC.
The planet LHS 1140 b is located approximately 48 light-years from Earth. It orbits a red dwarf — a star significantly smaller and colder than the Sun. It is its distance from its star that allows the planet to be in a zone where the temperature can be sufficient for the existence of water. Astronomers believe that the presence of water is one of the main conditions for the emergence of life.
During the study, scientists detected the presence of helium in the planet's atmosphere. This gas itself does not indicate the existence of life, but its detection confirms that the planet indeed has an atmosphere. Researchers do not rule out that other gases, yet to be studied, may be present in its lower layers.
The authors of the study emphasize that there is currently no evidence of the existence of living organisms on LHS 1140 b. Nevertheless, the discovery is considered very important because it is the first time an atmosphere has been confirmed for a rocky planet located in the potentially habitable zone.
Today, scientists know of more than six thousand exoplanets located outside the Solar System. However, only a small fraction of them have a solid surface and are located at such a distance from their star where water could theoretically exist. That is why LHS 1140 b is now considered one of the most promising objects for further study.
The search for life beyond Earth continues on other planets. Previously, great hopes were associated with the exoplanet K2-18b, where possible traces of gases were detected, which on Earth can be formed by living organisms. However, later studies showed that this data is insufficient for such conclusions, and the gases themselves can arise without the involvement of life.
Scientists are also continuing to study the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system. However, so far, research has not yielded convincing evidence of the existence of an atmosphere or life on these objects.
The study of LHS 1140 b has become another step towards answering one of the main questions of modern science — does life exist beyond Earth? To obtain more accurate data, astronomers plan to continue observations of this planet using modern space telescopes.
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