WASP-76b an exoplanet 640 light-years away in the constellation Pisces, has fascinated astronomers with its extraordinary environmental conditions. Researchers have found that this ultra-hot gas giant, with daytime temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius, experiences iron winds that encircle the planet, carrying iron atoms from its lower to upper atmospheric layers.
WASP-76b, discovered in 2013, orbits very close to its host star, completing a full orbit in just 1.8 Earth days. The planet is tidally locked, meaning one side is perpetually facing its star, creating blistering heat that vaporizes metals like iron. On the planet’s cooler night side, this vaporized iron condenses and falls as iron rain a phenomenon never before observed.
A recent study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics by a team of astronomers, including some from the University of Geneva, sheds new light on the planet’s bizarre weather. Using the ESPRESSO spectrograph on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, the researchers employed high-resolution emission spectroscopy to detect the movement of iron atoms in the atmosphere. They discovered intense winds transporting iron from the planet’s lower atmosphere to higher layers, providing insight into the extreme conditions on this gas giant.
Studying exoplanets like WASP-76b helps scientists understand the diverse climates of alien worlds, particularly those exposed to intense radiation from their stars. The planet’s extreme weather patterns contribute to ongoing research into the complex atmospheres of gas giants and their unique environmental dynamics.
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