Astronomers have observed that the exoplanet HIP 67522 b, a gas giant located approximately 400 light-years away, is experiencing significant atmospheric erosion. This is due to frequent and powerful stellar flares from its host star, HIP 67522. The flares are nearly 100 times more intense than those observed from our Sun.
The young star, HIP 67522, is highly magnetically active, and the close proximity of the planet, which orbits in just seven Earth days, appears to be the trigger for these intense flares. Data from the European Space Agency's CHEOPS mission and NASA's TESS confirmed the link between the planet's orbit and the star's flares. This interaction is causing the planet's atmosphere to erode rapidly.
This discovery challenges previous understanding of stellar behavior and planetary evolution. It suggests that close-in planets can significantly impact their host stars' magnetic activity. Future missions, like ESA's Plato, will further investigate these star-planet interactions. This research provides valuable insights into the dynamic relationships within planetary systems, and how planets can shape the environment around their stars.