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Astrophysics

Helium escaping from the atmosphere of a nearby rocky exoplanet orbiting in a habitable zone

Collin Cherubim, Shreyas Vissapragada

Featured July 31, 2026

Original Paper

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Simply

Scientists found a rocky planet in a cozy orbit losing its air, specifically helium, which means its atmosphere is mostly helium and changes over time, helping us understand if other planets can keep their air.

In depth
The study presents the first direct detection of atmospheric escape from a rocky exoplanet, LHS 1140b, located within its star's habitable zone. By observing helium absorption during transits, the authors characterize the planet's upper atmosphere as helium-dominated and hydrogen-depleted, a composition consistent with atmospheric fractionation models. They also reveal that this atmospheric escape is time-variable, with helium detected in one year but not the next.

Key Takeaways

  • 1
    The paper provides the first direct spectroscopic evidence of an escaping atmosphere from a rocky exoplanet, LHS 1140b, a significant step towards understanding habitability.
  • 2
    The observed helium absorption indicates a helium-dominated, hydrogen-depleted upper atmosphere, suggesting atmospheric fractionation due to stellar radiation.
  • 3
    The detection of time-variable atmospheric escape highlights the dynamic nature of exoplanet atmospheres and the influence of stellar activity.

Conceptual Flow

HIGH LEVEL
1
Methodology: How to Spot a Fading Atmosphere

To see if a planet is losing its air, scientists watch it pass in front of its star and look for specific light colors that get dimmer, like a fingerprint of escaping gas.

Starlight
Planet Transit
Observe Light Changes
Gas Fingerprint
2
Results: A Helium-Rich, Escaping World

They found the planet is indeed losing helium, meaning its top air layer is mostly helium, and this escape changes year to year, showing how stars can strip away planet atmospheres.

Gas Fingerprint
Star Energy
Analyze Gas Type & Speed
Helium-Rich Air
Air Loss Over Time