The atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-121b, also known as Tylos, has been meticulously mapped for the first time, unveiling an extraordinary weather system characterized by the fastest winds ever observed, circulating in the planet’s stratosphere.
Located 900 light years away, Tylos is a gas giant that is twice the size of Jupiter. It has an incredibly close orbit to its star, completing a revolution in just 30 Earth hours. This proximity results in scorching atmospheric temperatures of 2500°C, sufficient to vaporize iron.
Researchers at the European Southern Observatory have utilized the Very Large Telescope to peer into Tylos’s extreme atmosphere, uncovering a unique structure comprising at least three distinct layers of gas, each moving in different directions. “The patterns and behaviors we observe are astonishing and reminiscent of science fiction,” stated a leading scientist involved in the research.
Typically, planetary atmospheres in our solar system have a similar structure, where a strong jet stream in the lower atmosphere is propelled by internal temperature variations, while upper layers are influenced by solar heating. However, Tylos defies these norms; its lower wind layers are primarily driven by the heat from its star, moving away from the warmer side. Meanwhile, a prominent jet stream circulates in the middle atmosphere, aligned with Tylos’s equatorial rotation, while an upper layer of hydrogen also exhibits jetstream-like qualities, extending outwards into space. This novel behavior challenges existing theoretical models, suggesting a need for reevaluation of our understanding.
Additionally, Tylos hosts the most powerful jet stream recorded to date, racing at an astounding 70,000 kilometers per hour across half the planet, which is double the speed of the previous record-holder. While the exact cause of this remarkable velocity remains uncertain, researchers propose that it may be influenced by the planet’s robust magnetic field or ultraviolet radiation emitted by its star. “These possibilities could be altering the flow patterns, though much of this remains speculative,” the scientist noted.
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