Hubble Observes Evaporating Planet's Bizarre Hiccups
The Hubble Space Telescope has observed an evaporating planet, AU Microscopii b, orbiting a red dwarf star. The planet's hydrogen atmosphere is being stripped off due to the star's intense magnetic fields and blistering ultraviolet radiation. The observations revealed unexpected variability in the planet's atmospheric loss, with one orbit showing no material loss and another orbit showing clear signs of atmospheric escape. This variability challenges current models of planetary evolution and highlights the extreme conditions experienced by planets orbiting red dwarf stars. Further observations will help scientists understand the complex interplay between the star and the planet and the potential habitability of such systems.
