Imagine winding winds at almost nine kilometers per second (a speed much higher than everything we know on earth or in our solar system). This is exactly what astronomers discovered on a distant exoplanet. This discovery, made on WASP-127B, a giant world located at more than 500 light years from Earth, could well upset our understanding of extraterrestrial atmospheres.
WASP-127B: an extraordinary sparkling giant
Wasp-127b is a exoplanet particular, a giant carnation similar to Jupiter, but much larger. Located in the WASP-127 exoplanetary systemit orbit at a distance very close to its star, which makes it extremely hot. This proximity also means that its atmosphere is swollena phenomenon that allows astronomers to study it more easily. Although larger than Jupiter, WASP-127B is paradoxically less massivewhich makes it even more fascinating for researchers.
One of the most interesting aspects of this planet is that it is constantly exposed to the light of its star on one side while the other remains plunged into total darkness. This contrast creates extreme temperatures which directly influence the atmospheric dynamics of the planet.
Winds at incredible speeds
The speed of supersonic winds Detected on the exoplanet really attracted the attention of scientists. By studying the atmosphere of the planet with the CRIRES+ instrument of the Very Large Telescope From the Austral European Observatory, researchers have detected unusual chemical signatures. By analyzing the filtered light through the atmosphere of the planet, they identified the presence of water vapor and carbon monoxidetwo chemical elements present in many planetary atmospheres.
However, it is above all the way in which these chemical elements behaved that really hit the scientists. They observed an astonishing phenomenon: a part of the atmosphere moved to them at a high speed while another part was moving away in the opposite direction. This double movement suggested the presence of a extreme speeda powerful jet current that moves to speeds that had never been observed before.
From supersonic winds to Mach 28
Winds detected on WASP-127B blow at a speed of Nine kilometers per secondor about 28 times the speed of sound on earth (Mach 28). To put this in perspective, the fastest wind measured in our own solar system, that of Neptunereached only 0.5 kilometer per secondor about 1,100 kilometers per hour, far from the speeds observed on Wasp-127b.
-This extreme speed is due to several factors linked to the special conditions of the planet. Its proximity to its star leads to a very high surface temperature, while the planet revolves around its star in a way similar to the moon around the earth with one side constantly exposed to light and the other in the shade . This Thermal asymmetry generates powerful atmospheric currents which create a supersonic wind around the equator of the planet.
A complex climate model, similar to that of the earth
This wind of incredible speed is not the only particular meteorological phenomenon observed on wasp-127b. Due to the rotation of the planet and the temperature difference between the sunny side and the shaded side, complex weather models emerging. This shows that just like on earth, the dynamics of gases in the atmosphere of this exoplanet leads to the formation of currents and winds which follow predictable models depending on local conditions.
The researchers compared these phenomena to those observed on earth and noted striking similarities, especially with the currents that we find on our own planet, namely very powerful winds which blow at high altitude influenced by the temperature differences between the equator and the poles. This suggests that exoplanets can also present climates and meteorological systems complex, similar to those we know here on earth.
Towards a better understanding of exoplanetary atmospheres
This revolutionary discovery offers a fascinating overview of the atmosphere of Wasp-127b, but also opens the way to future studies of exoplanet atmospheres. Understanding how these supersonic winds are formed, how they influence atmospheric dynamics and how other exoplanets could have similar weather conditions could indeed help us to better understand the conditions that reign on distant worlds.
WASP-127B research is just beginning and even more spectacular discoveries could emerge in the years to come. Current observations show in any case that the study of Exoplanet atmospheres Could soon become one of the most fascinating aspects of modern astronomy.
