First atmosphere found on Earth-like planet in habitable zone of distant star

Astronomers have detected the first atmosphere around an Earth-like rocky planet orbiting within a star's habitable zone. The planet, LHS 1140b, located roughly 40–48 light-years from Earth, shows signs of retaining a helium-rich atmosphere despite billions of years of stellar exposure, according to research published in Science led by Harvard scientists. The discovery marks a major milestone in identifying potentially habitable worlds beyond the solar system, as most rocky planets around small, cool stars lose their atmospheres over time.