Hubble's Stunning Capture: Star Blasts Away Planet's Atmosphere

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an unexpected observation of a nearby planet, AU Mic b, having its atmosphere blasted away by energetic outbursts from its star, AU Microscopii. This red dwarf star is home to one of the youngest planetary systems ever observed and is less than 100 million years old. The planet's hydrogen atmosphere is being evaporated by the star's radiation, resulting in atmospheric escape. This observation challenges current models of planetary evolution and raises questions about the habitability of planets closely orbiting red dwarf stars. Astronomers will conduct further observations to understand the interplay between the star and the planet and the long-term effects on the planet's composition.