arXiv subjects

David J. Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to David J. Wilson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The SPACE Program II: No discernible spectral features in the transmission spectrum of the sub-Neptune HD 191939 b observed with HST/WFC3

The atmospheres of sub-Neptunes provide a window into their internal structure and history, shedding light on the origin of this common, but enigmatic, class of exoplanets. However, the physical and chemical processes that shape sub-Neptunes' transmission spectra, in particular cloud and haze formation, are not well understood. To identify possible correlations between transmission spectra and UV irradiation, the SPACE (Sub-neptune Planetary Atmosphere Characterization Experiment) Program observed an array of sub-Neptunes and their host stars using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), measuring the planets' transmission spectra between $1.1\,\mu$m and $1.7\,\mu$m with the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and the stars' UV spectra with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS). Here, we present the observations of HD 191939 b carried out as part of the SPACE Program, which reveal no significant spectral features in the transmission spectrum. The data deliver moderate evidence at significance levels between $2.0\,\sigma$ and $3.2\,\sigma$ against a cloud-free atmosphere with solar metallicity, rendering this scenario unlikely, but still possible. A super-solar metallicity of HD 191939 b might be consistent with the known trend of increasing atmospheric metallicity with decreasing planet mass. Both hydrocarbon haze formation and cloud condensation can be efficient at HD 191939 b's zero-albedo equilibrium temperature of $(880\pm 20)\,$K, particularly in atmospheres with super-solar metallicity, possibly additionally muting absorption features.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

ESCAPE: a small explorer mission to study the stellar drivers of exoplanet evolution

The long-term stability of exoplanetary atmospheres depends critically on the extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) photon and high-energy particle fluxes from the host star, which are poorly constrained. To address this key gap in our understanding of atmospheric retention, we present the Extreme-ultraviolet Stellar Characterization for Atmospheric Physics and Evolution (ESCAPE) mission, a NASA Small Explorer concept proposed in 2026. ESCAPE employs extreme- and far-ultraviolet spectroscopy (80 - 1650 Ang) to provide the first comprehensive study of the stellar EUV history and stellar coronal mass ejection (CME) environments that control atmospheric mass-loss and determine the habitability of rocky exoplanets. This paper outlines both the primary science goals of the mission, the breadth of future general observer investigations, and a detailed design study of the mission's instrumentation. The ESCAPE instrument comprises a grazing incidence telescope that feeds multiple diffraction gratings and a photon-counting detector. We describe a demonstration of the Hettrick-Bowyer telescope, etched silicon diffraction gratings, the microchannel plate detector and housing, and gold and zirconium coatings. We present a STOP analysis that verifies ESCAPE's ability to meet its structural integrity, thermal stability, and optical performance requirements throughout the mission environment.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

Direct detections of white dwarfs in four WD+dM post-common envelope binaries within 20 pc

Characterising post-common envelope binaries (PCEBs) containing a white dwarf and a main-sequence companion is essential for improving theories of binary evolution. This paper presents the first direct spectroscopic confirmations of the white dwarf components in four PCEB systems within 20 pc of the Sun: G 203-47, GJ 207.1, LHS 1817, and Wolf 1130. To detect the white dwarfs we obtained near-UV spectroscopy from STIS on the Hubble Space Telescope, fitting with white dwarf models and M dwarf proxy spectra. We provide estimates of the white dwarf effective temperatures, which range from approximately 5300 K to 6300 K. We compare these parameters to those determined from modelling with photometry alone, and find a 5 - 8 per cent discrepancy, due to emission features. Notably, 27 years after its initial detection, we confirm the presence of a white dwarf in G 203-47, which is the ninth closest white dwarf to the Sun. Using Swift XRT data, we find that despite the 14.9-day orbital period of G 203-47, it is not tidally locked, possessing a rotation period likely exceeding 100 days, and making it a rare example of a long-period PCEB formed via a brief common envelope interaction. We update the local white dwarf space density to (5.2 $\pm $0.4) $\times$ 10$^{-3}$ pc$^{-3}$, and compare our results to models from the Binary Populations and Spectral Synthesis (BPASS) framework, finding a good agreement with the predicted and observed numbers of PCEBs within 20 pc.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

The unique ability of the Hubble Space Telescope to characterize young exoplanet environments

The chemical and mass evolution of exoplanet atmospheres is shaped by their specific X-ray through ultraviolet (5 - 3200 Angstroms) irradiance history. X-ray and EUV (5 - 911 Angstroms) radiation largely contributes to atmospheric heating via photoionization, while far- and near-UV emission (912 - 3200 Angstroms) drives photochemistry. The (uncharacterized) variance between young star spectra in this wavelength range for the same spectral type causes significant uncertainty in interpreting present-day transmission spectra of young exoplanets, directly impacting the science return of the James Webb Space Telescope and other programs. Additionally, the lack of direct X-ray through UV characterization for stars of all ages leads to large uncertainties in the high-energy irradiance history of all planetary systems, propagating into uncertainties in their chemical and mass evolution. This influences current and future observing programs, as well as the goal of the future flagship Habitable Worlds Observatory to find and characterize habitable exoplanets. There are less than a handful of young planet hosts with well-characterized X-ray through UV environments. The Hubble Space Telescope is the only observatory capable of measuring the UV spectrum and enabling the characterization of exoplanet high-energy environments. We advocate for an observing program to measure the UV, estimate the EUV, and measure the X-ray where possible and needed of all amenable young planet hosts, addressing the Space Telescope Science Institute's call for Building a Roadmap for Hubble Science into the 2030s.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

Near UV Stellar Activity and Brightness Fluctuations of the Alpha Centauri AB Star System from Weeks to Decades -- Inputs for Reflected Light Spectroscopy with HWO

We present the most comprehensive near-ultraviolet (NUV: 2550-3255 Angstrom) activity record to date for the Alpha Centauri AB system, combining archival IUE and HST observations spanning nearly five decades with new high-cadence CUTE measurements. We show that Alpha Centauri A exhibits predominantly quiescent NUV behavior, with the majority of observations remaining within 1 sigma of the median flux and only rare chromospheric flaring events (1 flare every 12 years), consistent with its weak chromospheric activity and 19-year stellar cycle inferred from X-ray and FUV observations. In contrast, Alpha Centauri B displays a broader variability envelope, characterized by more frequent and higher-amplitude chromospheric excursions that track its well-established 8-year magnetic activity cycle. Using Lomb-Scargle analysis on the Mg II index derived from CUTE observations, we estimate the rotational period of Alpha Centauri A to be on timescales of 15-20 days. We also confirm the coherence of the stellar activity cycle of Alpha Centauri B in the NUV with its X-ray activity cycle. These data establish a critical reference framework for interpreting reflected-light observations of terrestrial exoplanets and for assessing the detectability of ozone and other biosignature-related features at NUV wavelengths with future facilities such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory. These results indicate that HWO observations of terrestrial exoplanets in reflected light photometry and spectroscopy around magnetically inactive early G-type stars and early K-type stars may be expected to show 10-20 percent and 30-40 percent temporal flux variability, respectively, over the course of months to years from the changing stellar inputs alone.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Exotic $T^_{csJ}$ and $T^_{c\bar{s}J}$ states and coupled-channel scattering at the $SU(3)$ flavour symmetric point from lattice QCD

Motivated by recent experimental observations of the flavour-exotic $T^*_{cs0}(2870)^0$ and $T^*_{c\bar{s}0}(2900)$, we present the first lattice QCD study of coupled-channel scattering of a charm meson with a light meson in the flavour-exotic sectors at the $SU(3)_f$ flavour symmetric point. Utilising five volumes with $m_\pi \approx 700$ MeV and employing large bases of meson-meson operators, finite-volume spectra are extracted and used to constrain infinite-volume scattering amplitudes with $J^P = \{0, 1, 2, 3, 4\}^+$ via the L\"uscher formalism. In the flavour $\mathbf{6}$ sector, each $S$-wave channel considered is found to be attractive with the scattering amplitudes having an associated pole singularity on an unphysical sheet below threshold, giving six flavour-exotic poles in the energy region constrained. In $J^P = 0^+$ there is a virtual bound state and a resonance. The latter is identified with the $T^*_{cs0}(2870)^0$ and $T^*_{c\bar{s}0}(2900)$, appearing as one state in the $SU(3)_f$ flavour symmetric limit, and suggests the existence of an isospin-$\frac{1}{2}$ partner. In $J^P =1^+$ there are three poles, one of which is identified as a $J^P =1^+$ partner of the $T^*_{cs0}(2870)^0$ and $T^*_{c\bar{s}0}(2900)$, and $J^P =2^+$ contains one pole which is identified as their $J^P =2^+$ partner. Only mild interactions and no poles are seen in the $J^P = \{3, 4\}^+$ scattering amplitudes. In the flavour $\overline{\mathbf{15}}$ sector, weak interactions are observed in $J^P = \{0, 1, 2, 3, 4\}^+$ with no well-determined poles in the energy region constrained.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2026

$D\bar{D}$ interactions are weak near threshold in QCD

We study near-threshold $D\bar{D}$ scattering in $S$ and $D$-wave to determine whether or not resonances or bound states are present. Working in the approximation where charm-annihilation is forbidden, with two degenerate light-quark flavors and a heavier strange quark, isospin is a good quantum number, and the only other other channel that is kinematically open is $\eta_c\eta$. Using lattice QCD we compute, as a function of varying light-quark mass, the $S$-matrix for coupled-channel $\eta_c\eta - D\bar{D}$ scattering and find only weakly interacting meson pairs. In contrast to several other studies, we find no evidence for any bound-state or resonance singularity in the energy region between the deeply-bound $\chi_{c0}(1P)$ state and the $D_s\bar{D}_s$ threshold.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2026

The MUSCLES Extension for Atmospheric Transmission Spectroscopy: Spectral energy distributions for 20 exoplanet host stars that JWST observed in Cycle 1

Correctly interpreting JWST spectra of close-in exoplanets requires a measurement of the X-ray and ultraviolet light that the planets receive from their host stars. Here we provide spectral energy distributions (SEDs) covering the range $\approx5-1\times10^7$A for 20 transiting exoplanet host stars observed in JWST Cycle 1. The SEDs are constructed out of new and archival Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory and/or XMM-Newton data combined with spectra from models or stars with similar properties (proxies) filling in unobserved gaps. We have also constructed SEDs of likely Habitable Worlds Observatory targets $κ^1$ Ceti, $τ$ Ceti, $ε$ Indi and 70 Oph B for use as proxies. We find that the JWST target planets almost all experience much stronger ultraviolet fluxes than the Earth, especially in the extreme ultraviolet, even for planets with similar overall instellation. Strong ongoing or past atmospheric escape is possible for a majority of these planets. We also assess the now considerable sample of panchromatic stellar SEDs and its applicability for current JWST observations and beyond.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

Coupled-channel scattering of $DD, DD^$ and $D^ D^*$ in isospin-$1$ from lattice QCD

The first coupled-channel determination of two-body $D$ and $D^*$ scattering amplitudes in isospin-$1$ from lattice quantum chromodynamics is presented. Using three lattice volumes at $m_π\approx 391~\mathrm{MeV}$, finite-volume energies relevant for the channels of interest are determined. Through the Lüscher formalism, these energies are used to constrain amplitudes of coupled $J^P=0^+$ $DD - DD^*$, $J^P=1^+$ $DD^*- D^*D^*$ and $J^P=2^+$ $DD - DD^* - D^* D^*$ scattering. All channels feature weakly repulsive interactions in $S$ wave, except for a weak $D^* D^*$ attraction in $J^P=0^+$. No amplitude singularities corresponding to physical states are found. Some of these amplitudes will be a necessary component of future lattice QCD analyses of $DDπ$ and $DD^*$ scattering taking into account three-body and left-hand cut effects.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2025

Vibrationally excited H2 mutes the He i triplet line at 1.08 μm on warm exo-Neptunes

Context. Neptune-sized exoplanets or exo-Neptunes are fundamental in the description of exoplanet diversity. Their evolution is sculpted by atmospheric escape, often traced by absorption in the H i Lyman-α line at 1,216 Å and the He i triplet line at 1.08 μm. On warm exo-Neptunes HAT-P-11 b, GJ 3470 b and GJ 436 b, H i Lyman-α absorption causes extreme in-transit obscuration of their host stars. This suggests that He i triplet line absorption will also be strong, yet it has only been identified on two of these planets. Aims. We explore previously unaccounted for processes that might attenuate the He i triplet line on warm exo-Neptunes. In particular, we assess the role of vibrationally excited H2 to remove the He+ ion that acts as precursor of the absorbing He(2$^3$S ). Methods. We formed thermal rate coefficients for this chemical process, leveraging the available theoretical and experimental data. The process becomes notably fast at the temperatures expected in the atmospheric layers probed by the He i triplet line. Results. Our simulations show that the proposed process severely mutes the line on GJ 3470 b and causes the nondetection on GJ 436 b. The overall efficiency of this mechanism is connected to where in the atmosphere the H2-to-H transition occurs and, ultimately, to the amount of high-energy radiation received by the planet. The process will be more significant on small exoplanets than on hotter or more massive ones, as for the latter the H2-to-H transition generally occurs deeper in the atmosphere. Conclusions. Weak He i triplet line absorption need not imply the lack of a primordial, H2-He-dominated atmosphere, an idea to bear in mind when interpreting the observations of other small exoplanets.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2025

X-ray and UV Observations of the Young Sun HIP~67522: Evidence of Lyman-alpha Absorption Within the Planetary System

We present ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy of the 17 Myr, G0V star, HIP 67522. The UV spectrum is characterized by strong chromospheric and transition region emission lines. There was moderate spectral variability during the observations consisting of 15% stochastic fluctuation and two small flares releasing $E_{UV} \simeq 2-4\times10^{32}$ ergs in each event. We compare the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED; 4.7 A - 13.0~$μ$m) of the star first presented in Thao et al. (2024) to the solar SED and show that X-ray/UV (XUV) flux density at 1 AU is $10^{2}-10^{5}$ stronger (from 1000 A down to 5 A) in the young star compared to the present-day Sun. Attempts to reconstruct the intrinsic Ly-alpha emission of the star failed to return physically realistic results. The discrepancy appears to arise from a population of neutral hydrogen within the system itself, extending to $> \pm500$ km/s. The absorption could be due to outflow from exoplanet atmospheric loss or from a stellar component; such a picture would require high spectral resolution observations and/or UV transit spectroscopy to confirm. Finally, we examine the evolution of the XUV emission from solar-type stars from ages of 17 Myr to 9.4 Gyr and derive a scaling relation between FUV Ly-alpha and EUV emission as a function of stellar age. X-ray (1--100 A) and EUV (100--900 A) contributions to high energy emission are 329 and 672 ergs/cm^2/s at 1 AU, respectively, suggesting that both may contribute to exoplanet heating at this epoch. The XUV emission levels at 17 Myr combined with the low density of the planet HIP67522b are consistent with models that predict that solar type stars born with high rotation and activity levels will drive substantial heating and escape on close-in, gaseous planets.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

HWO Target Stars and Systems: A Survey of Archival UV and X-ray Data

We assess archival high-energy data for key stars on the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Target Stars and Systems 2025 list, as stellar radiation is critical to shaping and interpreting planetary atmospheres. Using a sample of 98 nearby stars (HWO Tier 1 targets), we compile and evaluate X-ray and ultraviolet (UV) data from archival eROSITA, Chandra, XMM-Newton, ROSAT, EUVE, Swift, FUSE, IUE, GALEX, and HST. We examine spectral and temporal coverage, assess data quality, and identify major gaps. UV data are moderately available, with most coverage coming from near-UV spectra from IUE. Far fewer stars have far-UV spectra, especially from HST. In the X-ray regime, some stars have high-quality spectra, while others are limited to shallow detections or broad-band photometry. A small fraction of the sample has both X-ray and UV spectra of sufficient quality to support full spectral energy distribution modeling. Truly comprehensive coverage across X-ray, extreme-UV, and both UV bands remains extremely rare. Most datasets are single-epoch, limiting assessments of variability and flares - key factors in atmospheric photochemistry and escape. Moreover, the lack of simultaneous or contemporaneous observations across bands adds further uncertainty. Our findings underscore the need for new space-based missions and coordinated multiwavelength campaigns, ideally with overlapping coverage, to improve stellar characterization for HWO. As several key observatories age and face potential decommissioning, there is a narrow window of opportunity to secure these critical data. Investing in this effort now will directly support the science goals of HWO and enhance future studies of planetary habitability.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

The SPACE Program. I. The featureless spectrum of HD 86226 c challenges sub-Neptune atmosphere trends

Sub-Neptune exoplanets are the most abundant type of planet known today. As they do not have a Solar System counterpart, many open questions exist about their composition and formation. Previous spectroscopic studies rule out aerosol-free hydrogen-helium-dominated atmospheres for many characterized sub-Neptunes but are inconclusive about their exact atmospheric compositions. Here we characterize the hot (Teq=1311K) sub-Neptune HD 86226 c, which orbits its G-type host star. Its high equilibrium temperature prohibits methane-based haze formation, increasing the chances for a clear atmosphere on this planet. We use HST data taken with WFC3 and STIS from the Sub-neptune Planetary Atmosphere Characterization Experiment (SPACE) Program to perform near-infrared 1.1-1.7micrometer transmission spectroscopy and UV characterization of the host star. We report a featureless transmission spectrum that is consistent within 0.4 sigma with a constant transit depth of 418+-14ppm. The amplitude of this spectrum is only 0.01 scale heights for a H/He-dominated atmosphere, excluding a cloud-free solar-metallicity atmosphere on HD 86226 c with a confidence of 6.5 sigma. Based on an atmospheric retrieval analysis and forward models of cloud and haze formation, we find that the featureless spectrum could be due to a metal enrichment [M/H] above 2.3 (3 sigma confidence lower limit) of a cloudless atmosphere, or silicate (MgSiO3), iron (Fe), or manganese sulfide (MnS) clouds. For these species, we perform an investigation of cloud formation in high-metallicity, high-temperature atmospheres. Our results highlight that HD 86226c does not follow the aerosol trend of sub-Neptunes found by previous studies. Follow-up observations with the JWST could determine whether this planet aligns with the recent detections of metal-enriched atmospheres or if it harbors a cloud species otherwise atypical for sub-Neptunes.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2025

Measurements of three exo-planetesimal compositions: a planetary core, a chondritic body, and an icy Kuiper belt analogue

The study of planetesimal debris accreted by white dwarfs offers unique insights into the composition of exoplanets. Using far-ultraviolet and optical spectroscopy, we have analysed the composition of planetesimals accreted by three metal enriched H-dominated white dwarfs with effective temperatures of T_eff = 20 000 K. WD 0059+257 is accreting an object composed of 71.8 +/- 7.9 per cent Fe and Ni by mass, indicating a large core mass fraction of 69 per cent, similar to that of Mercury. We model this planetesimal as having a differentiated Earth-like composition with 65 per cent of its mantle stripped, and we find this mass loss can be caused by vaporisation of the planetesimal's mantle during post-main sequence evolution. The tentative S detection in WD 0059+257 is a possible clue to the nature of the light element in planetary cores, including that of the Earth. The volatile-rich composition of WD 1943+163 is consistent with accretion of a carbonaceous chondrite-like object, but with an extreme Si depletion. WD 1953-715 accretes a planetesimal which contains 64 +/- 21 per cent of O in the form of ices, likely H2O. This body therefore requires an initial orbit at formation beyond a radial distance of > 100 au for ice survival into the white dwarf phase. These three planetary enriched white dwarfs provide evidence of differing core fractions, volatile budgets, and initial orbital separations of the accreted planetesimals, all of which help us understand their formation and evolutionary history.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2025

Near-threshold states in coupled $DD^{\ast}-D^{\ast}D^{\ast}$ scattering from lattice QCD

The first determination of doubly-charmed isospin-0 coupled-channel $DD^\ast-D^\ast D^\ast$ scattering amplitudes from lattice QCD is presented. The finite-volume spectrum is computed for three lattice volumes with a light-quark mass corresponding to $m_π\approx 391$ MeV and is used to extract the scattering amplitudes in $J^P = 1^+$ via the Lüscher quantization condition. By analytically continuing the scattering amplitudes to complex energies, a $T_{cc}$ pole corresponding to a virtual bound state is found below $DD^\ast$ threshold. We also find a second pole, $T_{cc}^\prime$, corresponding to a resonance pole below the kinematically closed $D^\ast D^\ast$ channel, to which it has a strong coupling. A non-zero coupling is robustly found between the $S$-wave $D D^\ast$ and $D^\ast D^\ast$ channels producing a clear cusp in the $D D^\ast$ amplitude at the $D^\ast D^\ast$ threshold energy. This suggests that the experimental $T_{cc}^\prime$ should be observable in $D D^\ast$ and $D^\ast D^\ast$ final states at ongoing experiments.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2025

$D_1$ and $D_2$ resonances in coupled-channel scattering amplitudes from lattice QCD

Isospin-1/2 charmed axial-vector $D^*\pi-D^*\eta-D^*_s\bar{K}$ scattering amplitudes are computed, along with interactions in several other $I=1/2$ $J^P$ channels. Using lattice QCD, we work at a light-quark mass corresponding to $m_\pi\approx 391$ MeV, where the lowest three-hadron threshold ($D\pi\pi$) lies high enough to enable a rigorous treatment of this system considering only two-hadron scattering channels. At this light-quark mass, an axial-vector $D_1$ bound state is observed just below $D^*\pi$ threshold, that is strongly coupled to $D^*\pi$ in a relative $S$-wave and influences a wide energy region up to the $D^*\eta$ threshold. An axial-vector $D_1^\prime$ resonance is observed in the elastic $D^*\pi$ energy-region, which is coupled more strongly to $D$-wave $D^*\pi$. A single narrow tensor state is seen in $J^P=2^+$ coupled to both $D\pi$ and $D^*\pi$. In the region where $D^*\eta$ and $D^*_s\bar{K}$ are kinematically open, the available energy levels indicate significant $S$-wave interactions. Upon searching this region for poles, several possibilities exist with large uncertainties. One additional state consistently arises, predominantly coupled to the $S$-wave $D^*\pi-D^*\eta-D^*_s\bar{K}$ amplitudes around the upper energy limit of this analysis.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2024

The Mega-MUSCLES Treasury Survey: X-ray to infrared Spectral Energy Distributions of a representative sample of M dwarfs

We present 5-1x10^7 Angstrom spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for twelve M dwarf stars covering spectral types M0-M8. Our SEDs are provided for community use as a sequel to the Measurements of the Ultraviolet Spectral Characteristics of Low-mass Exoplanetary Systems (MUSCLES) survey. The twelve stars include eight known exoplanet hosts and four stars chosen to fill out key parameter space in spectral type and rotation period. The SEDs are constructed from Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet spectroscopy and XMM Newton, Chandra and/or Swift X-ray observations and completed with various model data, including Lyman alpha reconstructions, PHOENIX optical models, APEC coronal models and Differential Emission Measure models in the currently-unobservable Extreme Ultraviolet. We provide a complete overview of the Mega-MUSCLES program, including a description of the observations, models, and SED construction. The SEDs are available as MAST High-Level Science Products and we describe the various data products here. We also present ensemble measurements from our sample that are of particular relevance to exoplanet science, including the high-energy fluxes in the habitable zone and the FUV/NUV ratio. Combined with MUSCLES, Mega-MUSCLES provides SEDs covering a wide range of M\,dwarf spectral types and ages such that suitable proxies for any M dwarf planet host of interest may be found in our sample. However, we find that ultraviolet and X-ray fluxes can vary even between stars with similar parameters, such that observations of each exoplanet host star will remain the gold standard for interpreting exoplanet atmosphere observations.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

The Featherweight Giant: Unraveling the Atmosphere of a 17 Myr Planet with JWST

The characterization of young planets (< 300 Myr) is pivotal for understanding planet formation and evolution. We present the 3-5$μ$m transmission spectrum of the 17 Myr, Jupiter-size ($R$ $\sim$10$R_{\oplus}$) planet, HIP 67522 b, observed with JWST/NIRSpec/G395H. To check for spot contamination, we obtain a simultaneous $g$-band transit with SOAR. The spectrum exhibits absorption features 30-50% deeper than the overall depth, far larger than expected from an equivalent mature planet, and suggests that HIP 67522 b's mass is $<$20 $M_{\oplus}$ irrespective of cloud cover and stellar contamination. A Bayesian retrieval analysis returns a mass constraint of $13.8\pm1.0M_{\oplus}$. This challenges the previous classification of HIP 67522 b as a hot Jupiter and instead, positions it as a precursor to the more common sub-Neptunes. With a density of $<$0.10g/cm$^{3}$, HIP 67522 b is one of the lowest density planets known. We find strong absorption from H$_{2}$O and CO$_{2}$ ($\ge7σ$), a modest detection of CO (3.5$σ$), and weak detections of H$_2$S and SO$_2$ ($\simeq2σ$). Comparisons with radiative-convective equilibrium models suggest supersolar atmospheric metallicities and solar-to-subsolar C/O ratios, with photochemistry further constraining the inferred atmospheric metallicity to 3$\times$10 Solar due to the amplitude of the SO$_2$ feature. These results point to the formation of HIP 67522 b beyond the water snowline, where its envelope was polluted by icy pebbles and planetesimals. The planet is likely experiencing substantial mass loss (0.01-0.03 M$_{\oplus}$ Myr$^{-1}$), sufficient for envelope destruction within a Gyr. This highlights the dramatic evolution occurring within the first 100 Myr of its existence.

astro-ph.EP↗