Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Astronomers have discovered that the exoplanet WASP-76b, located 634 light-years away in the Pisces constellation, experiences extreme weather conditions, including iron winds and molten metal rain. The findings provide new insights into the atmospheres of distant exoplanets.
The planet, categorized as a "hot Jupiter," has surface temperatures reaching 4,350°F (2,400°C) due to its close proximity to its host star. This immense heat vaporizes iron in the planet’s atmosphere, creating a unique environment.
WASP-76b is tidally locked, meaning one side is always facing its star. On the planet’s day side, iron vaporizes, and high-speed winds transport this vapor to the cooler night side, where it condenses and falls as molten metal rain.
The discovery was made by a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the PlanetS National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR PlanetS). Ana Rita Costa Silva, a doctoral student at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço, led the study.
The research team used the ESPRESSO instrument on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to observe and measure the planet’s iron winds. This tool allowed them to analyze the dynamic processes taking place in WASP-76b’s atmosphere.
The discovery contributes to the development of 3D climate models for exoplanets, helping scientists understand the atmospheric conditions of planets outside our solar system. Christophe Lovis, an astronomer at UNIGE, emphasized the significance of these observations.
The findings offer valuable information on "hot Jupiter" exoplanets, showcasing the extreme weather conditions these planets can experience. This research enhances our understanding of planetary climates beyond Earth and the solar system.