Researcher interview
A rocky planet’s helium signal didn’t show up twice
In a SETI Institute interview, the study’s lead author explains what two different observations can tell us.
Briefed November 10, 2026 · Aliens in the Clouds
Published observations · Atmosphere interpretation under study
In a new SETI Institute write-up of an interview with Collin Cherubim, the astronomer explains how his team searched for helium by watching starlight during a transit of LHS 1140 b. The 2024 spectrum contained an absorption signature consistent with helium escaping from the planet.
The researchers did not recover the signal in a 2025 observation. A weaker signal could have gone undetected, and the interview discusses how activity from the star or changes in the escaping gas might affect what the telescope sees. Repeated observations can test those ideas.
Why it matters
Whether rocky planets can retain atmospheres is a practical question in the search for habitable worlds. Here, the repeat observation helps define what astronomers still need to measure.
Published by Aliens in the Clouds. These AI-assisted summaries link to their sources and distinguish reported claims from established findings. Skinny Ed is a fictional mascot; High Thoughts are comedy. Send a correction with its source.