Astronomy
Stellar Radiation and Water Retention on Rocky Planets
Quick fact
A planet can lose its water to space even without boiling it away: high-energy stellar radiation can split water molecules in the upper atmosphere, allowing hydrogen to escape, while the heavier oxygen remains behind.
Why this is interesting
Venus and Earth are nearly the same size and likely started with similar water, yet Venus is a scorching desert while Earth is an ocean world. What caused such a dramatic difference?