description LHS 1140 Overview
LHS 1140 is an M-type red dwarf star located approximately 40 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cetus. The star hosts at least two confirmed exoplanets, including LHS 1140 b, a rocky super-Earth orbiting within the star's habitable zone that was discovered in 2017 by the MEarth survey. LHS 1140 b has been identified as a significant target for atmospheric characterization studies using instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope, due to its favorable orbital geometry and the relatively small size of its host star, which facilitates transit spectroscopy.
insights Ranking position
LHS 1140 ranks #53 of 212 in the Star ranking, behind Achernar, ahead of Pollux.
help LHS 1140 FAQ
Why is LHS 1140 b considered a promising habitable-zone planet?
LHS 1140 b receives moderate energy from its cool red-dwarf host and appears dense enough to be a rocky or water-rich super-Earth. At roughly 40 light-years away, it is close enough for detailed follow-up with instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope.
Could LHS 1140 b be an ocean planet?
Measurements of its mass, radius, and atmosphere have motivated models in which it contains substantial water, potentially including a liquid ocean. This remains an interpretation rather than proof of an inhabited or globally ocean-covered world.
How long is a year on LHS 1140 b?
The planet orbits its star in about 25 days. That short year still places it in the habitable zone because LHS 1140 is much cooler and dimmer than the Sun.
Why is LHS 1140 b easier to study than many non-transiting planets?
It passes in front of its host star from Earth's viewpoint, allowing astronomers to measure its radius and probe starlight filtered through any atmosphere. Its star is also relatively quiet compared with many active red dwarfs.
explore Explore More
Similar to LHS 1140
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
