Exoplanet research reveals atmosphere on HD 3167 b and links life complexity to photosynthesis

Astronomers have identified that the super-Earth HD 3167 b possesses an atmosphere. Despite its close proximity to its host star, which subjects it to intense stellar wind and high-energy photons, data from the James Webb Space Telescope indicates the planet is cooler than expected. This suggests an atmosphere is dissipating heat from the star-facing side to the night side.

In a separate study regarding the evolution of life, researchers suggest that the complexity of life on exoplanets may depend more on cumulative photosynthetic energy than on the age of the planet. While many nearby exoplanets are billions of years older than Earth, limited photosynthetic energy may restrict them to microbial life. Out of 29 nearby exoplanets studied, only two, GJ 1061c and K2-3d, were identified as having the potential to host life more advanced than Earth's current stage.