LHS 1140 b may have a liquid ocean, which is essential for life, according to recent James Webb Space Telescope results. LHS 1140 b orbits its star in the habitable zone, 48 light years from Earth.
New observations have disproven the “mini-Neptune” label due to its size and hydrogen-helium-rich atmosphere. The Webb telescope’s precision measurements showed that LHS 1140 b is a rocky “super-Earth,” larger than Earth and 5.6 times heavier.
The absence of hydrogen and helium in its atmosphere disqualifies it as a gas giant. The planet’s density suggests a large liquid-water ocean beneath its rocky surface, prompting scientists to believe LHS 1140 b may have one.
These Astrophysical Journal Letters findings are a milestone in exoplanetary study. They demonstrate the Webb telescope’s ability to investigate distant planets in unprecedented detail, revealing their diversity and composition.
A potentially ocean-bearing world like LHS 1140 b sheds light on planetary evolution and life elsewhere in the universe. Each new discovery about exoplanetary systems brings us closer to answering one of humanity’s oldest questions: Are we alone?
LHS 1140 b remains a beacon of hope for extraterrestrial life, spurring greater study and technical advances to discover distant worlds and their potential to support life.
