Hubble Space Telescope Witnesses Planetary Atmosphere Being Stripped Away

The Hubble Space Telescope has observed a young planet orbiting a red dwarf star, AU Microscopii, experiencing atmospheric loss due to its close proximity to the star. The planet's hydrogen atmosphere is evaporating, causing it to puff off the planet. The variability in atmospheric escape between orbits surprised astronomers, challenging their predictions. The observations provide insights into planetary evolution and the effects of extreme stellar wind environments. Scientists aim to understand which types of planets can survive such conditions and their potential for habitability.