Unveiling the Secrets of WASP-121b's Alien Atmosphere: A 3D Map of an Exoplanet's Weather
Astronomers have achieved a groundbreaking feat: the 3D mapping of the atmosphere of exoplanet WASP-121b (Tylos), revealing weather patterns and chemical composition unlike anything previously observed. Using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, an international team meticulously traced iron, sodium, and hydrogen across the planet's atmospheric layers, creating an unprecedentedly detailed map.
This ultra-hot Jupiter, a gas giant 900 light-years away, is tidally locked, meaning one side perpetually faces its star. The resulting extreme temperature differences drive a supersonic jet stream around its equator, alongside a lower-level flow transferring gas between the hot and cool hemispheres. The sheer speed of this jet stream dwarfs even the most powerful solar system hurricanes.
A companion study further revealed the presence of titanium deep within the atmosphere, a discovery previously elusive due to its location. This comprehensive research, published in Nature and Astronomy & Astrophysics, highlights the capabilities of ground-based telescopes like the VLT in exoplanet observation and paves the way for future studies using more advanced instruments like the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). These upcoming projects hold the promise of similarly analyzing smaller, Earth-like exoplanets, potentially unveiling further atmospheric secrets and broadening our understanding of planetary systems beyond our own.
Source: Gizmodo