It has been over seven years since researchers in the Cetus constellation discovered the exoplanet LHS 1140 b. This planet orbits an M-type dwarf star and is particularly notable for its appearance, which resembles a smaller version of Neptune. Since its discovery, it has captured the attention of many scientists who believe it holds significant potential.
Exoplanet LHS 1140 b under the microscope
Initially considered a gas planet similar to Neptune—albeit much smaller—data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) revealed otherwise. Combining this data with previous findings from the Spitzer, Hubble, and TESS space telescopes, researchers concluded that the planet not only resides in the habitable zone of its star but is also a rocky planet.
In 2017, the year of its discovery, a study indicated that the mass of the exoplanet was 6.6 times that of Earth, with a radius 1.4 times that of Earth. This research also categorized LHS 1140 b as a large rocky planet, known as a super-Earth, rather than a mini-Neptune. However, the scientific community expressed some disagreement due to the previous data’s inaccuracies.
A new study by researchers from the Université de Montréal (UdeM) has provided fresh insights into this debate. “Our observations suggest that LHS 1140 b is either airless or, more likely, surrounded by an atmosphere with a high average molecular weight,” the team noted, reinforcing the idea that it is a rocky planet. “Our preliminary evidence of a nitrogen-rich atmosphere strongly encourages future transmission spectroscopy observations of LHS 1140 b.”
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Water world or snowball?
The analysis of the compiled data allowed the team led by PhD student Charles Cadieux from the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx) at UdeM to nearly dismiss the mini-Neptune hypothesis. It also suggested a particularly high likelihood of extraterrestrial life existing there.
The high nitrogen content in the atmosphere may imply that LHS 1140 b has liquid water, the researchers stated. Their findings support a water world/snowball scenario, which describes planets or moons covered by either water or ice. Water worlds have liquid surfaces often beneath ice, while snowball planets are entirely frozen. Both models are vital for exploring conditions favorable to life.
“Of all the presently known temperate exoplanets, LHS 1140 b may offer our best chance to eventually detect liquid water on the surface of an alien world beyond our solar system,” Cadieux mentioned in a press release. “This would mark a significant milestone in the search for potentially habitable exoplanets.”
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“We need at least another year of observations”
The findings of the study are preliminary results based on a relatively extensive data set. According to UdeM, it is crucial to further explore LHS 1140 b to determine whether it is a water world, a snowball planet, or perhaps neither.
Additional transit and eclipse measurements need to be conducted with the JWST, concentrating on a specific signal. This signal could either confirm or invalidate the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2), a significant factor in determining atmospheric composition and identifying potential greenhouse gases. These gases could indicate habitable conditions on the exoplanet.
“Detecting an Earth-like atmosphere on a temperate planet is stretching the limits of Webb’s capabilities—it’s possible, but we require substantial observing time,” stated Professor René Doyon, principal investigator for JWST’s Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS). The evidence of a nitrogen-rich atmosphere needs to be verified through additional data. “We need at least another year of observations to confirm that LHS 1140 b has an atmosphere and probably an additional two or three years to detect carbon dioxide.”
Sources: “A temperate rocky super-Earth transiting a nearby cool star” (Nature, 2017); “Transmission Spectroscopy of the Habitable Zone Exoplanet LHS 1140 b with JWST/NIRISS” (arXiv, 2024); Université de Montréal
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Exploring LHS 1140 b: The Super-Earth with Potential for Life
More than seven years have now passed since researchers in the constellation Cetus (Cetus) discovered the exoplanet LHS 1140 b. This planet orbits an M-type dwarf star and is particularly striking due to its appearance, which is reminiscent of a smaller Neptune. Since its discovery, it has captured the interest of numerous scientists, as they believe it has enormous potential for scientific exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life.
Exoplanet LHS 1140 b Under the Microscope
Initially thought to be a gas planet akin to Neptune, LHS 1140 b’s characteristics were revealed to be quite different after data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) came to light. This information, combined with findings from the Spitzer, Hubble, and TESS space telescopes, indicated that LHS 1140 b not only lies within the habitable zone of its star but is also classified as a rocky planet.
In 2017, a study determined that the mass of the exoplanet is 6.6 times that of Earth, with a radius 1.4 times larger. This study identified LHS 1140 b as a large rocky planet, or a super-Earth, rather than a mini-Neptune. This classification, however, faced some skepticism due to earlier inaccuracies in data.
New insights emerged from a recent study conducted by researchers from the Université de Montréal (UdeM), stating, “Our observations suggest that LHS 1140 b is either airless or, more likely, surrounded by an atmosphere with a high average molecular weight.” This supports the notion that it is a rocky planet, and early evidence of a nitrogen-rich atmosphere strongly encourages future transmission spectroscopy observations of LHS 1140 b.
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Water World or Snowball?
The analysis of combined data allowed the team, led by PhD student Charles Cadieux from the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx) at UdeM, to nearly dismiss the mini-Neptune scenario. It also suggested that LHS 1140 b has a significant potential for extraterrestrial life.
The presence of nitrogen in the atmosphere could hint at the existence of liquid water, suggesting a possible water world/snowball scenario. Water worlds contain liquid water beneath ice, whereas snowball planets may be entirely frozen. Both models are critical in the quest for life-sustaining conditions on planets beyond our solar system.
“Of all the currently known temperate exoplanets, LHS 1140 b may be our best chance to one day indirectly detect liquid water on the surface of an alien world,” Cadieux stated in a press release. This milestone could significantly advance our understanding of potentially habitable exoplanets.
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“We Need at Least Another Year of Observations”
While the findings of the most recent study are preliminary, they are based on a robust database. UdeM emphasizes the importance of further study of LHS 1140 b to determine if it truly is an aquatic world, a snowball planet, or perhaps something else entirely.
To ascertain the planet’s true nature, additional transit and eclipse measurements must be conducted with the JWST, focusing on identifying specific signals that could confirm or rule out the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2). Detecting CO2 is crucial, as it may indicate the potential for greenhouse gases and habitable conditions.
“Detecting an Earth-like atmosphere on a temperate planet is pushing the limits of Webb’s capabilities,” Professor René Doyon, principal investigator of JWST’s Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS), noted. “We will need at least another year of observations to confirm that LHS 1140 b has an atmosphere and likely two or three more to detect carbon dioxide.”
The Potential for Extraterrestrial Life on LHS 1140 b
The implications of finding a nitrogen-rich atmosphere on LHS 1140 b are significant in the context of extraterrestrial life. If the planet has liquid water, it could have conditions conducive to life as we know it. Here are a few key points to consider:
- Size and Mass: With a mass 6.6 times that of Earth, LHS 1140 b’s size supports the possibility of a substantial atmosphere and geological activity.
- Location in the Habitable Zone: Being located in the habitable zone of its star means conditions may allow for liquid water to exist on the surface.
- Atmospheric Composition: The potential discovery of a nitrogen-rich atmosphere could provide insights into the planet’s capacity to support life.
| Characteristic | LHS 1140 b |
|---|---|
| Mass | 6.6 Earth masses |
| Radius | 1.4 Earth radii |
| Status | Rocky planet (super-Earth) |
| Potential Atmosphere | Nitrogen-rich |
| Habitable Zone | Yes |
In summary, LHS 1140 b stands as a fascinating candidate in the search for life beyond our solar system. The ongoing observations and research may soon provide more clarity on the possibilities for water, an atmosphere, and other conditions necessary for life.
Sources: “A temperate rocky super-Earth transiting a nearby cool star” (Nature, 2017); “Transmission Spectroscopy of the Habitable Zone Exoplanet LHS 1140 b with JWST/NIRISS” (arXiv, 2024); Université de Montréal
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