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Researchers discover Earth-like planet with atmosphere 48 light-years away
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Justin Boggs , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 22, 2026
· 2 min read
For the first time, scientists have found a rocky planet with an atmosphere orbiting in a stars habitable zone. Researchers from Harvard University say the Earth-like world has conditions similar to those on Earth. The exoplanet, LHS 1140 b, is 48 light-years from Earth. It orbits a red dwarf sta...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Justin Boggs, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The exoplanet, LHS 1140 b, is 48 light-years from Earth.
Why this matters in The Waco
The discovery of LHS 1140 b, a rocky planet with an atmosphere 48 light-years away, may seem like a distant find, but its implications can spark interest in Waco's own scientific community. Local universities and research institutions in McLennan County may take note of the methods used by Harvard researchers to study exoplanet atmospheres, potentially inspiring new projects or collaborations. The fact that LHS 1140 b orbits a red dwarf star, a common type of star in the galaxy, raises questions about the potential for life-supporting planets in our own celestial neighborhood. As scientists continue to explore and learn more about exoplanets, Waco residents may have opportunities to engage with astronomy events, lectures, or viewing nights at local observatories or educational institutions, fostering a greater appreciation for the wonders of the universe and our place within it.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? For the first time, scientists have found a rocky planet with an atmosphere orbiting in a stars habitable zone. Researchers from Harvard University say the Earth-like world has conditions similar to those on Earth. The exoplanet, LHS 1140 b, is 48 light-years from Earth. It orbits a red dwarf sta...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Justin Boggs at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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