– James Webb Space Telescope observed the exoplanet LHS 1140 b, located 48 light years away in the constellation Cetus.
– LHS 1140 b is considered one of the best candidates for potentially hosting liquid water due to its location in the habitable zone of its star where temperatures could support water.
– Previous telescopes were unable to determine if LHS 1140 b was a “mini-Neptune” or “super Earth”. JWST data strongly suggests it is a super Earth, with a potential nitrogen-rich atmosphere.
– Analyses indicate LHS 1140 b could have 10-20% of its mass as liquid water in a subsurface ocean on the star-facing side, with surface temperatures around 68°F.
– This represents the first indirect evidence of potential liquid water detected on the surface of a rocky, habitable-zone exoplanet. Further observations are still needed to confirm an atmosphere and surface conditions.
– LHS 1140 b’s star is less active than TRAPPIST-1, making it easier to study the exoplanet’s atmosphere separately from stellar noise.
– The discovery highlights LHS 1140 b’s promise as one of the best candidates in the search for life’s building blocks on planets beyond our solar system.
Source: Space
