Astronomers Discover Supersonic Winds on Exoplanet WASP-127b
Astronomers have detected supersonic jet-stream winds on the exoplanet WASP-127b, reaching nearly 20,500 miles per hour (33,000 kilometers per hour), making it the fastest wind ever recorded on any known planet.
Located about 520 light-years away from Earth in our Milky Way galaxy, WASP-127b is a “hot Jupiter”—a massive gaseous planet that orbits very closely to its host star, similar to Jupiter in our solar system but significantly puffier. With a diameter 30% larger than Jupiter, its mass is only 16% that of Jupiter, making it one of the least dense exoplanets discovered so far.
Wind Velocity Surprises Scientists
The supersonic jet-stream winds encircle WASP-127b’s equator at speeds vastly surpassing those of Earth’s jet stream, which reaches speeds of 275 miles per hour (442 kilometers per hour). Even Neptune’s winds, which reach 1,200 miles per hour (2,000 kilometers per hour), are much slower in comparison.
Main author Lisa Nortmann of the University of Göttingen in Germany, who led the study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, described the wind velocity as “surprisingly high,” adding that the planet’s wind patterns were extraordinarily rapid.
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Planet Characteristics
WASP-127b orbits its star every four days, positioned just 5% of the distance between Earth and the Sun. The planet is perpetually subjected to intense stellar radiation, and its day side faces the star at all times, while the night side remains in constant darkness, similar to the way our moon is tidally locked to Earth.
The planet’s atmosphere has a scorching temperature of around 2,060°F (1,400 Kelvin / 1,127°C), with the polar regions being relatively cooler. Despite the extreme conditions, scientists found evidence of complex compounds like carbon monoxide and water in its atmosphere, in addition to hydrogen and helium, which are its primary components.
Driving Factors Behind the Winds
Researchers believe the primary driver of these intense winds is the irradiation from its host star, which heats the planet’s day side. David Cont, co-author and astrophysicist at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, explained that while stellar radiation plays a crucial role in driving the wind patterns, other factors also contribute to the planet’s dynamic atmosphere.
Observing Wind Patterns with Advanced Technology
To measure the speed of molecules in the planet’s atmosphere, scientists used CRIRES+, an instrument on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile. By observing changes in the brightness of the host star as the planet passed in front of it, researchers were able to gather data on the wind speeds around the planet.
The study of exoplanet atmospheres is advancing rapidly, allowing scientists to look beyond average features such as temperature and chemical composition to examine three-dimensional aspects like wind patterns, temperature variations, and chemical processes across different latitudes and longitudes.
With over 5,800 exoplanets discovered, WASP-127b’s extreme wind speeds provide another glimpse into the complex dynamics of distant worlds, leaving scientists eager to uncover more of these cosmic mysteries.
