Does TRAPPIST-1e Have an Atmosphere? Constraints from Space Telescope Observations

Among all currently known exoplanets, the planetary system orbiting TRAPPIST-1 has long been regarded as one of the most promising targets for studying Earth-like atmospheres. Within this system, TRAPPIST-1e stands out: its size and mass are close to Earth, and it lies within the star’s habitable zone, making it a strong candidate for maintaining liquid water on its surface. However, this possibility depends on a crucial prerequisite—the presence of an atmosphere. Without an atmosphere, stable liquid water cannot exist, and the concept of habitability becomes meaningless. Recent observations using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were designed to address this fundamental yet challenging question.

TRAPPIST-1 system illustration, with the two black dots in the foreground representing planets（圖片來源：NASA/JPL-Caltech，CC0 1.0 公共領域）

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