Science and Discovery

Exoplanet Atmospheres

2 articles

Editorial illustration for How Exoplanets Lose Their Atmospheres: Thermal Boil-Off, Stellar Wind Erosion, and the Habitability Question
Explainers

How Exoplanets Lose Their Atmospheres: Thermal Boil-Off, Stellar Wind Erosion, and the Habitability Question

Exoplanets lose their atmospheres through thermal escape driven by heat and non-thermal escape caused by stellar wind, processes crucial for determining long-term habitability. Understanding these mechanisms is vital, as they dictate whether a planet can retain the stable atmosphere needed for liquid water and life.

Marcus Cole·October 23, 2026
Editorial illustration for Why Finding Alien Life Requires Telescopes on Earth and in Space
Cosmos & Space

Why Finding Alien Life Requires Telescopes on Earth and in Space

Detecting alien life hinges on analyzing exoplanet atmospheres using spectroscopy, a task requiring a complementary approach from both space-based telescopes like JWST and powerful ground-based ELTs. While JWST excels at identifying molecules like CO2 and water, ELTs are crucial for the high-resolution search for oxygen, a key biosignature.

Marcus Cole·October 3, 2026