Astronomers found a very special planet. Its name is LHS 1140 b. This planet is 48 light-years away from Earth. It is a rocky planet, not a gas planet. This is important because life needs a solid surface.
The planet orbits a small, cool star called a red dwarf. It is in the "habitable zone." This is a place where it is not too hot and not too cold. In this zone, liquid water can exist on the surface. Water is necessary for life.
Scientists first found the planet in 2017. However, they studied it again in 2024 and 2025. They found something new. The planet has an atmosphere. An atmosphere is a layer of gas around a planet. This gas protects the surface and keeps the temperature stable.
How did they find the gas? They did not see it with their eyes. Instead, they studied the light from the planet. They found helium gas leaking from the planet. This proved that the planet has an atmosphere.
This discovery is very important. Before, scientists found rocky planets and planets in the right zone. But they did not find a rocky planet with an atmosphere in the right zone. Now they have found one. This means other planets like Earth might exist. Scientists will now look for more planets that can support life in our galaxy.