Photoevaporation is a process in which intense ultraviolet radiation from a nearby star heats and ionizes the surface of a surrounding disk of gas and dust, causing it to evaporate and dissipate over time. This process is crucial in shaping the evolution of protoplanetary disks, determining the mass and structure of planets that form within them, and influencing the overall dynamics of planetary systems. Researchers study photoevaporation to understand how it affects the formation and evolution of planetary systems, including our own solar system.