  Strong absorption signatures in the helium line at 1083 nm have recently been
detected in transmission spectra of several close-in exoplanets. This
absorption line originates from neutral helium atoms in an excited, metastable
2$^3$S state. The population of helium atoms in this excited state is governed
by the spectral shape and intensity of the incident stellar radiation field. We
investigate what kind of stellar environments are most favorable for populating
the metastable helium state in extended planetary atmospheres. Our results
suggest that planets orbiting at close separations from late-type stars,
particularly K stars, are the most promising candidates for transit absorption
signals at 1083 nm. This result is supported by observations, as all four
exoplanets with currently reported helium detections orbit K-type stars. In
general, conditions for exciting helium atoms become more favorable at closer
orbital separations, and around stars with higher levels of extreme-ultraviolet
(EUV) flux, which ionizes the helium ground state, and lower levels of
mid-ultraviolet (mid-UV) flux, which ionizes the helium metastable state.
