Scientists Discover Habitable Atmosphere on Super-Earth LHS 1140 b

Astronomers have detected a significant atmosphere on LHS 1140 b, a super-Earth exoplanet located in the habitable zone of its star, according to reports from detikInet and Suara Merdeka on July 18, 2026.

Because it sits within the habitable zone—the region where temperatures allow liquid water to exist on a planet’s surface—the confirmation of an atmosphere elevates it from a rocky curiosity to a primary target for astrobiology research, according to publika.id.

Atmospheric Composition and Habitability of LHS 1140 b

However, data reported by achmadnurhidayat.id indicates that LHS 1140 b has managed to retain its gaseous envelope.

While the exact chemical makeup is still being analyzed, the presence of these gases suggests the planet could maintain a stable surface temperature, according to Suara Merdeka.

Comparison Between LHS 1140 b and Other Exoplanets

In contrast, the reporting from publika.id emphasizes that LHS 1140 b’s specific distance from its star and its higher mass make it a more stable environment for atmospheric retention.

If the atmosphere contains water vapor or nitrogen, it could potentially support a global ocean or a “water world” scenario, though scientists are still verifying the exact ratio of water to rock, according to detikInet.

Technological Detection and Future Observation

By analyzing which wavelengths of light are absorbed, astronomers can determine which gases are present, according to achmadnurhidayat.id.

The telescope’s infrared capabilities allow it to peer deeper into the atmospheric layers of super-Earths to search for biosignatures—gases like oxygen, methane, or carbon dioxide that could indicate biological processes, according to Suara Merdeka.

The focus has moved toward determining if these worlds are truly habitable or merely “habitable-zone” planets that lack the necessary air and water to support life, according to publika.id.