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Researchers discover Earth-like planet with atmosphere 48 light-years away
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Justin Boggs , NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· 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 Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Justin Boggs, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) 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 Nashville
Nashville's own Vanderbilt University has a strong astronomy department that may take notice of this breakthrough discovery. While the research was conducted by Harvard University, the findings could have implications for local scientists and students interested in exoplanetary science. The discovery of an Earth-like planet with an atmosphere 48 light-years away could spark new discussions and collaborations among Nashville's academic and scientific communities. Nashville's proximity to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a major research institution, could also facilitate future studies on exoplanet atmospheres. As scientists continue to explore and learn more about LHS 1140 b, Nashville's own researchers and students may play a role in unraveling the mysteries of this distant planet and its potential for supporting life. The city's growing tech industry could also benefit from advancements in astronomy and space research, making this discovery a notable development for Nashville's scientific community.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville 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 NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
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 NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Justin Boggs at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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