UK government agency funding and enabling research in science and engineering
Astronomers have detected helium escaping from LHS 1140b, a rocky 'super-Earth' 48 light-years away that orbits in its star's habitable zone. The finding has confirmed an atmosphere around a habitable-zone rocky exoplanet for the first time and has been published in Science; teams used ground-based infrared spectroscopy and modelling.
UKRI has withdrawn funding for the Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank, putting 28 jobs at risk and delaying its role in the e-Merlin network. Observations may end by March 2028 unless alternative funding is found; experts warn this risks the UK’s standing in international radio astronomy.