Cosmic Perspectives from Amid the Stars:
Astronomy Blog

Earth is the only planet we know in the entire universe to support life. In a universe as big as ours, life likely exists out there somewhere by sheer odds alone. But for now, Earth is all we know and the only example of a habitable planet we can study. So why can Earth support life when so many other planets fail? In order to predict what other planets might support life, we first need to understand life on Earth. What is it that makes Earth perfect for life?

The exoplanet LHS 1140 b was first discovered in 2017. It was immediately a planet of note because it orbited within its star’s habitable zone—just the right distance from the star to potentially support liquid water on its surface. Nearly 10 years later, LHS 1140 b has become the center of a massive milestone in the search for life on exoplanets, thanks to a discovery announced July 16, 2026.