Proxima Centauri b: the nearest habitable-zone world under a harsh red-dwarf glare

Proxima Centauri b sits in the habitable zone of the nearest star, but its true habitability depends on whether it retains a substantial atmosphere, which could be stripped by intense X-ray/UV radiation and stellar winds from Proxima Centauri. Models show liquid water is possible only with a suitable atmosphere, making this nearby world a key test case for whether rocky planets around red dwarfs can keep air and water, and a prime target for future atmospheric observations.