New Model Refines Search for Habitable Exoplanets Based on Size and Atmosphere

Researchers at Stanford University have developed the Smaller Than Earth Habitability Model (STEHM), a computer model designed to predict an exoplanet's ability to retain a life-supporting atmosphere. The model suggests that a planet's initial carbon content is crucial for atmosphere retention, with smaller planets generally losing theirs within a billion years. This research helps narrow down the search for potentially habitable worlds.