Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Rocky Exoplanet Found Far from Its Star Challenges Formation Models

2/19/2026

28 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

LHS 1903 e is a rocky exoplanet orbiting unusually far from its host star LHS 1903, 116 light-years away.
The finding challenges models that place rocky planets close to stars and gas giants farther out.
The study published in Science suggests LHS 1903 e formed in a gas-depleted environment, indicating an inside-out formation.
Researchers rule out atmospheric loss from collisions or planetary migration as explanations.

1 of 1

Story summary

LHS 1903 e is a rocky exoplanet orbiting unusually far from its host star LHS 1903, 116 light-years away.
The finding challenges models that place rocky planets close to stars and gas giants farther out.
The study published in Science suggests LHS 1903 e formed in a gas-depleted environment, indicating an inside-out formation.
Researchers rule out atmospheric loss from collisions or planetary migration as explanations.