Astronomers detect first atmosphere on temperate rocky exoplanet

Kiswahili

For the first time, astronomers have found an atmosphere surrounding a rocky, temperate exoplanet that could potentially support life. The planet, LHS 1140b, lies about 50 light years from Earth.

Researchers led by Collin Cherubim at Harvard University made the detection while observing the planet in 2024 at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. They identified a spectral line indicating excited helium atoms, which they interpret as gas leaking from the planet's atmosphere.

The finding marks a shift from previous detections, which had only captured atmospheres on large or extremely hot worlds. LHS 1140b orbits in the habitable zone of a small M dwarf star, raising its profile as a candidate for further study.

A follow-up observation in 2025 showed no such helium signature, though Cherubim noted that such variability is not unusual. He plans additional observations to clarify the atmosphere's behavior.

"This planet has now become the best place to search for life outside of our solar system," Cherubim said.

Makala yanayohusiana

James Webb Space Telescope detects hydrogen atmosphere on lava planet

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has observed the super Earth 55 Cancri e and found evidence of a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. The planet, located 41 light years from Earth, has a surface hot enough to melt rock due to its extremely close orbit around its star.

Scientists discover unusual inside-out planetary system

Imeripotiwa na AI

Astronomers have found a planetary system around a red dwarf star where a rocky world orbits beyond two gas giants, challenging standard models of how planets form. The discovery around LHS 1903 suggests planets may arise sequentially rather than all at once.

Science

Webb telescope discovers giant planet in Beta Pictoris system

Science

Rogue planet moons may harbor life for billions of years

Science

Carbon monoxide in Uranus atmosphere points to icy interior

Webb telescope detects methane on interstellar comet

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made the first direct detection of methane on an interstellar comet. The findings reveal unusual chemistry in comet 3I/ATLAS, including high levels of carbon dioxide.

Mysterious substance detected on surfaces of Titan and Pluto

Imeripotiwa na AI

Researchers have identified an unknown compound absorbing specific wavelengths of light on both Saturn's moon Titan and the dwarf planet Pluto. The finding comes from data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope.

Jumapili, 28. Mwezi wa sita 2026, 15:52:19

James Webb Space Telescope detects salt clouds on Pink Planet

Alhamisi, 11. Mwezi wa sita 2026, 11:50:11

James Webb Space Telescope finds differing twilights on exoplanet

Jumatatu, 1. Mwezi wa sita 2026, 02:42:42

NASA’s roman telescope expected to find 100000 exoplanets

Ijumaa, 22. Mwezi wa tano 2026, 20:19:36

James Webb telescope finds temperate giant planet with methane

Alhamisi, 21. Mwezi wa tano 2026, 14:07:46

JWST maps distinct weather on distant hot gas giant

Alhamisi, 7. Mwezi wa tano 2026, 08:23:57

Unusual planet pair challenges traditional formation models

Jumanne, 5. Mwezi wa tano 2026, 22:30:13

Japanese astronomers detect thin atmosphere on small trans-Neptunian object 2002 XV93

Tovuti hii inatumia vidakuzi

Tunatumia vidakuzi kwa uchambuzi ili kuboresha tovuti yetu. Soma sera ya faragha yetu kwa maelezo zaidi.
Kataa