Scientists have discovered for the first time an atmosphere like that of a rocky planet like Earth in a habitable zone in another solar system.
They say this is the strongest evidence yet that worlds with conditions similar to Earth could exist outside our solar system. The planet is called LHS 1140 b.
Located 48 light-years from Earth, the planet orbits a red dwarf star that is much smaller and cooler than our sun.
For a planet to support life, water must be in a liquid state. So far, only helium has been found in the upper layers of this atmosphere. Although helium gas alone cannot sustain life, scientists believe that there is a possibility that other gases that are favorable for life may exist in the lower layers.