NASA's Chandra Observatory Detects Shrinking Infant Exoplanet
📷 Image source: nasa.gov
Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have uncovered startling evidence that a young exoplanet, designated as AU Mic b, is losing its atmosphere at an unprecedented rate. Located just 32 light-years from Earth, this Neptune-sized world orbits the volatile red dwarf star AU Microscopii, which bombards the planet with intense stellar flares and radiation. The findings suggest AU Mic b could eventually be stripped down to a rocky core, offering new insights into planetary evolution in hostile environments. Observations from Chandra revealed X-ray emissions from the star eroding the exoplanet's hydrogen-rich atmosphere, causing it to shrink dramatically. Scientists estimate AU Mic b is losing atmospheric material at a rate of up to 10% per billion years—far faster than similar exoplanets. This rapid depletion challenges existing models of planetary formation and underscores the vulnerability of young planets orbiting active stars. Additional data from the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based observatories corroborate the discovery, painting a fuller picture of the system’s dynamics. Researchers speculate that AU Mic b may represent a missing link between gas giants and super-Earths. Future studies aim to track its evolution, potentially reshaping our understanding of how extreme space weather influences planetary survival. The study, led by Dr. Kevin France at the University of Colorado Boulder, was published in *The Astronomical Journal*. It highlights the role of high-energy stellar radiation in determining a planet’s ultimate fate—a key consideration in the search for habitable worlds beyond our solar system.
