The listed value is the approximate present distance from Earth. Interstellar destinations move, but the difference is negligible compared with the enormous journey time at current spacecraft speeds.
Complete world information
LHS 1140 b
Its measurable mass, radius and 2026 atmospheric detection make it one of the strongest nearby targets for habitability research, without proving surface life or oceans.
Scientific status
No exoplanet is confirmed habitable or inhabited. Habitable-zone position only means that liquid surface water could be possible under the right atmospheric conditions. Rate the Earth percentages are editorial comparison scores, not scientific probabilities.
Rate the Earth habitability percentages are editorial comparison scores, not scientific proof of habitability or life.NASA-style scientific artist conceptCold ocean super-Earth concept
Rate the Earth habitability comparison66%
Potential candidate — not confirmed habitable
Probability of other life40%
Candidate for simple life
Minimum delay for information travelling at light speed.
Approximate send-and-reply delay before processing time.
No spacecraft has travelled to this system
Image gallery
LHS 1140 b observed images and realistic concepts
Real mission or telescope imagery is shown when available; otherwise the closest realistic concept is used and clearly identified.
Photorealistic scientific concept
LHS 1140 b realistic orbital concept
A high-resolution scientific concept showing how LHS 1140 b could plausibly appear from orbit.
No resolved true photograph of this world exists, so the site shows a clearly identified realistic concept.Source: Rate the Earth scientific concept generator ↗
Photorealistic scientific concept
LHS 1140 b surface or atmosphere concept
A second realistic interpretation focused on the surface, clouds, atmosphere or horizon of LHS 1140 b.
This scene is an editorial scientific visualization, not a claimed photograph.Source: Rate the Earth scientific concept generator ↗Life potential
Could other life exist on LHS 1140 b?
LHS 1140 b is treated as a potentially habitable candidate, so this site assigns it a moderate editorial probability for simple non-human life.
Candidate for simple life
Why this score?
- Rate the Earth habitability comparison score: 66%.
- Atmosphere clue: Detected escaping helium; deeper composition under study.
- Host-star context: M-type red dwarf.
- The catalog flags this world as a potentially habitable candidate.
This probability is an editorial astrobiology estimate based on public characteristics, not a formal scientific measurement.
Complete data sheet
Everything listed for LHS 1140 b
Measured values, estimates, discovery information and the main uncertainties are shown together below.
Travel calculation
How long would the journey take?
Straight-line arithmetic is compared with real mission history. Actual trajectories depend on orbital mechanics, acceleration, braking, launch windows and gravity assists.
A physical reference only. A spacecraft with mass cannot reach light speed.
No operational spacecraft can sustain this interstellar cruise speed.
Still far beyond current spacecraft propulsion.
Parker reaches this speed only very close to the Sun; it is not an interstellar cruise speed.
A comparison using a real high-energy launch from Earth.
A practical comparison with a spacecraft already moving into interstellar space.
Research guide
What we know, and what we do not know
What is directly known
The planet itself is not resolved as a detailed globe. Its existence and properties are inferred mainly through transit and radial velocity, together with measurements of the host star.
What remains unknown
Surface geography, oceans, continents, clouds and living organisms have not been directly observed. Atmosphere and composition may also remain uncertain.
What is known
Transit spectroscopy detected time-variable escaping helium in 2024 observations, providing evidence that LHS 1140 b retained an atmosphere; its lower atmospheric composition remains under study.
Habitability limits
An atmosphere is not the same as habitability. Surface pressure, ocean state, clouds, chemistry and day-night climate remain uncertain.
Why it stands out
It is one of the best nearby super-Earths for future atmospheric characterization.