Scientists Discover ‘Super-Earth’ 48 Light-Years Away That May Support Life

By: Georgia | Published: Jul 10, 2024

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has stumbled upon a real cosmic gem—a ‘super-Earth’ just 48 light-years away.

This thrilling find has us all wondering about neighbors in this vast universe, especially since this planet is among the nearest that could possibly be like our own Earth.

Meet LHS 1140 b

Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, an international team of scientists has been studying a fascinating exoplanet called LHS 1140 b.

Illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope in space, featuring its large, golden, hexagonal mirror array and silver sunshield deployed below it

Source: Wikimedia Commons

This world is showing promise as a potential twin to our Earth, sparking significant excitement in the scientific community.

A Neighbor in the Cosmos

Just 48 light-years away, LHS 1140 b is significantly larger than Earth, about 1.7 times its size.

Photograph of Earth from space showing a full view of the planet with clouds, oceans, and continents visible

Source: NASA/Unsplash

This proximity and its placement in the habitable zone make it an intriguing focus for scientists hunting for life-supporting planets.

A World of Possibilities on LHS 1140 b

Imagine a distant planet with vast oceans and a thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere—much like our home.

Artistic rendering of an exoplanet with an orange glow on the horizon, depicting its close orbit around a bright red dwarf star, set against a starry sky

Source: Wikimedia Commons

LHS 1140 b could be just that, placing it high on the list of places where life might thrive.

Why LHS 1140 b Stands Out

Charles Cadieux of Université de Montréal didn’t mince words about this planet’s potential.

Aerial photograph of a sprawling university campus with numerous buildings and green areas, surrounded by an urban environment

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He said, “Of all currently known temperate exoplanets, LHS 1140 b could well be our best bet to one day indirectly confirm liquid water on the surface of an alien world beyond our solar system.”

Perfectly Placed in the Habitable Zone

Tucked away in the constellation Cetus, LHS 1140 b sits right in the sweet spot of its star’s ‘Goldilocks zone.’

Illustrative diagram comparing the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system to the inner solar system

Source: Wikimedia Commons

That’s the zone where it’s not too hot, not too cold, but just right for water to stay liquid—essential for life as we know it.

A Surprisingly Light Super-Earth

Despite its massive size—six times that of Earth—LHS 1140 b has a surprisingly low mass.

Artistic representation showing two planets side by side against a starry background: a larger planet named LHS 1140 b, depicted with a vibrant blue surface, and Earth, showing its familiar continents and oceans

Source: Wikimedia Commons

What could this mean? Scientists ponder if it’s a water world or something even more exotic.

Spectroscopic Secrets Unveiled

By combining observations from multiple telescopes, researchers have conducted the first ‘spectroscopic’ analysis of LHS 1140 b.

Image of a large, segmented telescope mirror in an assembly facility with workers in clean suits examining the structure, illuminated by blue and white lighting

Source: Wikimedia Commons

This method helps identify possible chemicals in the planet’s atmosphere by observing how light interacts with them.

A Rocky World with a Watery Twist

The latest data hints that LHS 1140 b might be a rocky, water-covered planet, potentially hosting a thick atmosphere akin to Earth’s.

Aerial photograph of a snowy landscape showing mountain ranges and plains, with patches of snow and bare earth creating a textured appearance

Source: Daniel Olah/Unsplash

This enhances its ability to support life.

Atmospheric Hints on LHS 1140 b

Dr. Ryan MacDonald of the University of Michigan revealed an exciting first: “This is the first time we have ever seen a hint of an atmosphere on a habitable zone rocky or ice-rich exoplanet.”

Frontal view of a university building with classical architecture, featuring tall columns and steps, framed by autumn-colored trees under a clear sky

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This atmosphere may even resemble Earth’s, with its rich nitrogen content.

Envisioning the 'Bullseye Ocean'

Imagine a massive ocean dominating the landscape of LHS 1140 b, potentially as warm as 68 °F.

Satellite image showing vibrant blue coastal waters with intricate patterns of sediment and islands

Source: NASA/Unsplash

This ‘Bullseye Ocean’ could span 2,400 miles across, forming a striking feature of this alien world.

A Calm Place for Close Study

The star that LHS 1140 b orbits is unusually calm, lacking the frequent stellar flares seen in other systems.

Artistic rendering of a dark, rocky exoplanet surface with sharp mountains under a large red star, casting a crimson light over a red-hued alien landscape

Source: Wikimedia Commons

This serenity is ideal for scientists trying to dissect the subtle features of this exoplanet’s atmosphere, enhancing our chances of understanding whether LHS 1140 b could really support life.