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Astronomers Detect Variable Helium Atmosphere on Super-Earth LHS 1140b

7/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers announced on July 16, 2026 that the rocky super-Earth LHS 1140b has a helium-rich atmosphere.
LHS 1140b orbits a red dwarf every 24.7 days, lies in the habitable zone, and has 5.6 Earth masses and 1.73 Earth radii.
Helium escape was measured with the Warm Infrared Echelle Spectrograph on the Magellan Clay Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory.
Data from 2024 showed helium while 2025 data did not, indicating variable atmospheric loss.

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Story summary

Astronomers announced on July 16, 2026 that the rocky super-Earth LHS 1140b has a helium-rich atmosphere.
LHS 1140b orbits a red dwarf every 24.7 days, lies in the habitable zone, and has 5.6 Earth masses and 1.73 Earth radii.
Helium escape was measured with the Warm Infrared Echelle Spectrograph on the Magellan Clay Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory.
Data from 2024 showed helium while 2025 data did not, indicating variable atmospheric loss.