Astronomers have announced a historic achievement—the first direct detection of an atmosphere around a rocky planet located within its star's habitable zone. This breakthrough marks a significant step forward in the search for worlds potentially capable of supporting life.
The planet, named LHS 1140 b, is located approximately 48 light-years from Earth. According to the results of the new study, its atmosphere contains helium. In addition to being the first rocky planet with a directly detected atmosphere, it is also the first of its kind found in the so-called habitable zone—the region around a star where temperatures could allow for liquid water on the surface.
Researchers assert that among known exoplanets, LHS 1140 b possesses the greatest number of habitability indicators. The study's lead author, Collin Cherubim, told Space.com that the direct detection of helium in the atmosphere is unprecedented for rocky exoplanets, and its location in the habitable zone adds immense interest for astrobiology and the search for life.
LHS 1140 b is an exoplanet, meaning a planet outside our solar system. It was initially discovered by astronomer Jason Dittman's team in 2017, and he is also involved in the current research. According to Dittman, years of observation were required for scientists to confirm the presence of an atmosphere.
He noted that although the planet was found about ten years ago, the conclusion regarding the atmosphere was only reached now. Dittman emphasized that the planet has a solid surface and is composed of rock. Although the exact nature of this surface is not yet known, the team considers the presence of water on the planet highly probable.
LHS 1140 b orbits a red dwarf—a star smaller and cooler than the Sun. Despite the planet being significantly closer to its star than Earth is to the Sun, this distance is sufficient to maintain temperatures compatible with the 'Goldilocks zone,' which is considered suitable for the existence of liquid water. Researchers believe that the recently discovered atmosphere may help preserve these conditions.
Cherubim hypothesized that the planet likely contains a lot of water. He added that if the atmosphere provides a greenhouse effect, then the conditions we consider habitable on Earth are likely to exist there and could support liquid water.
Although LHS 1140 b is not an exact copy of Earth, researchers point out two similarities: its composition is a rocky planet, likely with an iron core, and it is now known to have an atmosphere; and its temperature is suitable for liquid water on the surface, which is one of the key requirements for life as we know it on Earth.
Among over six thousand identified exoplanets, the direct confirmation of an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone is a unique moment. One of the main challenges is that LHS 1140 b orbits a red dwarf—the most common type of star in the Milky Way, which is about one-third the size of the Sun. These stars remain active for a long time, emitting powerful bursts of radiation, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Typically, such radiation completely destroys the atmospheres of nearby planets, which raised doubts about the ability of rocky planets around red dwarfs to retain an atmosphere over long periods.
Cherubim noted that this discovery demonstrates that at least this rocky planet has managed to retain its atmosphere for billions of years, which is a 'well-founded and reliable way to say yes: atmospheres can survive on rocky exoplanets.' Scientists also suggest that other gases besides helium might be present in the atmosphere, some of which may have been lost in the past due to intense stellar radiation. However, since the star is about six billion years old—several billion years older than the phase of this intense activity—the team believes the planet will continue to retain its atmosphere. Dittman mentioned that while some helium slowly escapes into space, a similar process occurs with Earth's own atmosphere.
The confirmation of the atmosphere resulted from a theoretical prediction developed by Collin Cherubim during his doctoral dissertation. He explained that it all started with a mathematical model created to study the evolution of rocky planets, from which he made a very specific prediction about this planet.
The researcher decided to apply a method usually used to study gas giants to a rocky planet, which was an unprecedented step. The results fully aligned with his model prediction, allowing the scientific method cycle to be completed.
To test the hypothesis, the team used the Warm Infrared Echelle Spectrograph (WINERED), installed at the Magellan Observatory in Chile. During the same observations, they tracked the transit of LHS 1140 b and another planet in front of its star. Spectroscopic analysis allowed them to identify chemical signatures in the atmospheres of both worlds. While one did not yield results, LHS 1140 b demonstrated a direct and undeniable signal of helium's presence.
Despite the importance of the finding, researchers emphasize that it does not mean the planet is habitable. Cherubim clarified that he is not claiming there is life on the planet. In the team's view, future observations will allow for the detection of other gases in the atmosphere and the verification of water. Although new research may not confirm habitability or discover life forms, it will significantly expand knowledge about rocky planets of this type. Since LHS 1140 b is the first planet with these characteristics whose atmosphere has been confirmed, it represents an important step toward understanding the evolution of potentially habitable planets and may help answer one of humanity's oldest questions: are we alone in the Universe?
A team of scientists from Northeast India has identified a new species of firefly in the village of Mawsynram, known as the wettest place on Earth, located in the state of Meghalaya.
The new insect has been named Pygoluciola mawsynram. Its discovery was made by researchers from Assam Don Bosco University and Debraj Roy College. This species increases the total number of species in the genus Pygoluciola to 29 worldwide and is only the fifth representative of its genus recorded in India.
The discovery occurred in May 2024, shortly before the start of the heavy monsoon season. The researchers conducted fieldwork, trekking through moist meadows and semi-evergreen forests of the East Khasi Hills. They observed the fireflies emitting yellowish flashes of light between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, often near small, slow-moving water bodies and waterfalls.
To confirm the novelty of the species, the team used a combination of traditional morphology, which studies the physical structure of the insect, and DNA barcoding to determine its genetic signature. Although many fireflies look similar externally, P. mawsynram is distinguished by an orange-yellow pronotum (the plate covering the upper part of the body) and black wings with thin yellow edges. Its closest relative is the Indonesian firefly, Pygoluciola ambita, but microscopic examination revealed key differences.
The new Indian species possesses a uniquely curved or complex edge on the sixth abdominal segment and has differently formed reproductive organs (aedeagus). Specifically, the tip of this organ is characterized by a broad base that narrows to a thin, wavy membrane, which is not observed in other known representatives of this group. The name Mawsynram was chosen in honor of the village where the firefly was first discovered, also paying tribute to the local Khasi community, which traditionally cares for the region's biodiversity by preserving sacred groves.
The researchers emphasized that despite the abundance of wildlife in India, fireflies have long been ignored by the scientific community. They consider this finding an important step toward understanding the role of these bioluminescent insects in the ecosystem. Since the fireflies were found near water, the team suggests that their larvae may be aquatic or semi-aquatic, implying their dependence on the region's famous rainfall for survival.
>Prime Minister Narendra Modi highly praised the planned first launch of Vikram-1, which is the first privately developed orbital vehicle in India. He called this event a 'historic new milestone' for the country's space program. Skyroot Aerospace from Hyderabad was preparing for the Aagaman mission, which was set to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The launch was scheduled for 11:30 AM and marked the first time an Indian private company would attempt to place satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) using a self-developed launcher. Before the start, the Prime Minister posted on X, noting that the mission demonstrates the growing capabilities of India's private space sector.
Modi stated: 'A historic new milestone for India's space journey! Today at 11:30, Skyroot Aerospace will conduct the first orbital launch of Vikram-1, India's first private sector vehicle. This four-stage rocket is designed to provide fast and on-demand launch services.' He emphasized that the mission reflects the impact of reforms in India's space sector and wished success to the entire Skyroot Aerospace team, urging Indians to support the mission.
S. Somanath, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), also congratulated Skyroot Aerospace, calling the mission an important milestone for India's private space industry. In his post on X, he noted that this is more than just the first orbital flight of a rocket, as it signifies India's capability to build its own rockets.
According to Skyroot Aerospace, Vikram-1 is a 24-meter tall, four-stage vehicle constructed from lightweight carbon-composite structure. It is equipped with three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital correction module. The rocket is capable of delivering a payload of up to 350 kg to an altitude of 450 km in low Earth orbit. The maiden flight will feature the launch of several demonstration payloads from Indian and international clients, including platforms from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and SCOPE from Skyroot itself.
Rajesh Joti, Technical Director of IN-SPACe, told ANI that the mission reflects the rapid expansion of India's private space ecosystem since the sector was opened by the Centre in 2020. He noted that the number of startups has grown from five or six to over 400.
In addition to technological demonstrations, Vikram-1 will also carry a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Modi with the inscription 'Vande Mataram', as well as postcards from engineers, scientists, and Indian astronauts. Data collected during the test flight will be used to verify the rocket's guidance and navigation systems and improve it before future commercial launches. If successful, the Aagaman mission will establish Skyroot Aerospace as the first Indian private company to place payloads into orbit using its own launcher.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated on Friday that all states must join forces to form a fair and equitable global regulatory system for artificial intelligence (AI).
These statements were made by Xi Jinping during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the World AI Conference 2026 and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, which took place in Shanghai.
