Scientists have for the first time discovered an Earth-like planet with an atmosphere. This gives hope for the existence of extraterrestrial life
This discovery is the most compelling evidence to date that worlds similar to our planet may exist outside the Solar System.
American scientists have reported that they have for the first time discovered a planet that, by its main characteristics, resembles Earth and has an atmosphere. This celestial body also orbits a star and is located in a zone where the existence of life is theoretically possible, writes BBC.
According to researchers, this discovery is the most compelling evidence to date that worlds similar to our planet may exist outside the Solar System.
Helium was found in the atmosphere of this planet. Life is impossible in such an environment, but other gases may also be present there.
The author of the study, Dr. Colin Cherubim from Harvard University, considers the discovery extremely important.
“We are the first to have detected an atmosphere on a rocky planet located in the habitable zone around another star,” the scientist noted.
The planet in question is called LHS 1140 b. It is located approximately 48 light-years from Earth and orbits a red dwarf – a star significantly smaller and cooler than our Sun.
To date, scientists know of more than 6,000 planets orbiting other stars. The significance of the new discovery is that it theoretically brings humanity closer to one of the most important scientific achievements – the detection of life on another planet.
The authors of the study, published in the journal Science, emphasize that they have not yet reached this milestone.
What is the "Goldilocks Zone"?
For life to emerge on any planet, it must have water.
For this, the planet must be at an appropriate distance from its star: if it is too close, the temperature will be too high, and if too far, too low.
The "right" distance is called the "Goldilocks Zone" – by analogy with the well-known fairy tale about a girl who chose what was "not too hot and not too cold". Hundreds of planets have already been discovered in such zones around various stars.
However, only a few of them turned out to be rocky and relatively small – exactly like Earth. These properties are considered among the key ones for the possibility of life.
Until now, no atmosphere had been detected on any of these planets. Now, this has succeeded for the first time.
True, so far scientists have only found helium in the atmosphere, likely in its upper layers. Life is impossible in inert helium, but other gases may be present in the lower layers of LHS 1140 b's atmosphere.
Dr. David Charbonneau from Harvard University noted that the main significance of the discovery lies in the fact that a planet with a solid surface and an atmosphere has been found for the first time.
“People are interested in the most important question: Are we alone in the Universe? Does life exist beyond Earth or even the Solar System? This study shows that an atmosphere has been detected for the first time on a rocky planet in the habitable zone outside our Solar System,” he said.
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