Astronomers Detect Helium Depletion on LHS 1140b Suggesting Atmosphere Evolution

By John Timmer · Ars Technica · 2026-07-16

Ars Technica reports that researchers have observed helium escaping from the atmosphere of a rocky exoplanet orbiting a red dwarf star 50 light-years away. Utilizing near-infrared imaging from the Atacama Desert, the team identified trailing and leading gas tails as high-energy r

Ars Technica reports that researchers have observed helium escaping from the atmosphere of a rocky exoplanet orbiting a red dwarf star 50 light-years away. Utilizing near-infrared imaging from the Atacama Desert, the team identified trailing and leading gas tails as high-energy r