Astronomers at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) have made a groundbreaking discovery about the weather patterns of WASP-121b, an ultra-hot Jupiter 900 light-years away in the constellation Puppis. By examining the planet’s atmosphere in 3D and analyzing layers of starlight passing through its atmosphere, researchers unveiled a complex system of jet streams and temperature contrasts.
WASP-121b orbits its host star every 30 hours, resulting in extreme temperature differences between its scorching hot side and cooler opposite side. This unusual climate leads to violent winds racing across the planet’s skies, making even the strongest hurricanes seem calm in comparison.
The team used high-resolution observations from the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to study the movement of materials at different heights, identifying powerful winds and chemical signatures at various altitudes. The findings revealed that metals and other compounds are shuttled around by swift jets, leading to the unique climate patterns seen on Tylos.
This study marks a significant leap in exoplanet science, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the weather conditions of a distant world. Future studies using next-generation telescopes like the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) aim to refine techniques and decode the layers, winds, and potentially life-supporting chemistry of even more distant worlds, shedding light on habitability.
The team’s discovery highlights the importance of ground-based observations of exoplanets, emphasizing the need for powerful instruments to study these distant environments. As researchers look forward, they are optimistic about uncovering incredible secrets about the dynamic nature of far-off worlds.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/first-3d-view-of-an-exoplanet-atmosphere-reveals-chaotic-alien-weather