GJ 436 b is a fascinating exoplanet orbiting the red dwarf star GJ 436, discovered back in 2004 using the clever radial velocity method at the W. M. Keck Observatory. This planet is a bit of a cosmic oddball, often called a "warm Neptune" because it’s similar in size to Neptune but orbits much closer to its star, making it a hot, steamy world. Unlike our chilly Neptune, GJ 436 b experiences intense stellar radiation that might be causing its atmosphere to slowly evaporate into space—a kind of celestial escape act! Although it’s too far to visit for now, this intriguing world continues to capture astronomers' imaginations as they unravel its secrets from millions of miles away.
