In a groundbreaking discovery, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has identified an exoplanet that could be our best chance yet to find liquid water beyond our solar system. Meet LHS 1140 b—a distant world that might harbor an ocean teeming with possibilities.
The Quest for Liquid Water
Scientists have long considered water the key to life elsewhere in the universe. LHS 1140 b, located 48 light-years away in the constellation Cetus (aptly named “the whale”), resides in its star’s habitable zone—the cosmic sweet spot where conditions are just right for liquid water to exist.
Imagine a Goldilocks scenario, which is not too hot, not too cold, but just perfect. LHS 1140 b was discovered in 2017 by the MEarth Project. It is about 5.6 times the mass of Earth. The LHS 1140 b planet is a good candidate for atmospheric research using ground-based or space telescopes since it is 49 light-years distant and transits its star LHS 1140.
A 2023 investigation that more precisely measured the planet’s radius and mass discovered a lower mass of around 5.6 times that of Earth and a similarly lower density, which, considering the planet’s size, was no longer compatible with a rocky planet.
A Temperate Water World
LHS 1140 b is approximately 1.7 times the size of Earth, making it a “super-Earth.” But what sets it apart is its potential ocean. JWST data suggests that this exoplanet could boast a temperate water ocean about half the size of the Atlantic.
Picture gentle waves, balmy temperatures around 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 20 degrees Celsius, and perhaps alien marine life swimming beneath its surface. The planet’s large mass suggests that its atmosphere is thicker and has a stronger greenhouse effect.
A Breath of Air
Remarkably, LHS 1140 b might even have an atmosphere—an exciting first for a rocky or ice-rich exoplanet in the habitable zone. Researchers detected hints of gases, possibly akin to our air. If confirmed, this would be a major milestone in our search for habitable exoplanets.
The Hopeful Future
Charles Cadieux, lead author of the discovery paper, expressed optimism: “This would be a major milestone in the search for potentially habitable exoplanets.” While we can’t book a vacation to LHS 1140 b just yet, its promise ignites our curiosity and fuels our quest for cosmic neighbors.
We are drawn to LHS 1140 b, an intriguing exoplanet where the seas meet the uncharted. As JWST continues its cosmic scan, we anxiously anticipate additional hints about this aquatic realm beyond our solar boundaries.
