Gas-depleted planet formation revealed in the LHS 1903 planetary system

Star system: LHS 1903 | Distance from the Sun: 116 light years

New analysis of the four-planet system surrounding the red dwarf LHS 1903 provides a rare look at how planets form when gas is scarce. While the inner planets possess varying atmospheric thicknesses, the outermost world, LHS 1903 e, stands out because it completely lacks a gaseous envelope despite its distant orbit. 

This suggests that the planet likely formed from material already depleted of gas, rather than losing its atmosphere later in life. By studying this diverse architectural layout within a single system, researchers can better understand the 'radius valley'—the physical gap that separates small rocky worlds from their gassy counterparts.

Scientific study

Gas-depleted planet formation occurred in the four-planet system around the red dwarf LHS 1903 (external link)