"Remarkable Exo-Neptune Defies Expectations, Retains Atmosphere"

Astronomers have discovered a Neptune-type exoplanet, LTT 9779 b, that has managed to retain its atmosphere despite being located in the Neptunian Desert, where most planets lose their atmospheres due to intense radiation from their host stars. The planet's survival can be attributed to its host star's unusually low X-ray emissions, which are generated by its slow rotation. The research supports the theory that photoevaporation, driven by X-ray radiation, is responsible for the lack of Neptune-size planets in close proximity to their stars. The findings also highlight the importance of a planet's internal structure and its ability to counteract the effects of photoevaporation in determining its atmospheric retention.