Neptune, our solar system’s farthest planet, boasts impressive winds reaching over 0.3 miles per second (0.5 kilometers per second). However, these speeds pale in comparison to the supersonic winds discovered on WASP-127b, a puffy exoplanet located roughly 500 lightyears from Earth. This distant giant experiences winds whipping through its atmosphere at a staggering 5.5 miles per second (9 kilometers per second), significantly exceeding the speed of sound on Earth (approximately 0.21 miles per second or 0.34 km/sec). This recently discovered extraterrestrial jet stream is the fastest ever recorded on a planet, offering valuable insights into the extreme weather conditions prevalent in other worlds.
Utilizing the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, astronomers measured these powerful winds raging across WASP-127b’s equator. Reaching speeds up to 20,500 miles per hour (33,000 kilometers per hour), these jet winds travel nearly six times faster than the planet’s rotation, according to a study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
This exoplanet, discovered in 2016, is a gas giant slightly larger than Jupiter but with considerably less mass, resulting in a low density, or “puffiness.” WASP-127b orbits its host star, a yellow dwarf (G-type star), in just over four days. Yellow dwarfs are generally smaller and cooler than our Sun.
Since its discovery, scientists have been intently studying WASP-127b to unravel its atmospheric dynamics. The research team used the VLT to analyze the planet’s atmospheric composition by observing how light from its host star filters through its upper atmosphere. This analysis revealed the presence of water vapor and carbon monoxide. However, the speed at which these elements moved revealed a peculiar “double peak,” indicating that parts of the atmosphere are moving both towards and away from Earth at high velocities.
These measurements led researchers to conclude that extremely powerful winds dominate the planet’s equator, effectively squeezing the gas giant as its atmosphere moves in opposing directions. This unique phenomenon has never been observed before.
The study also revealed that WASP-127b’s poles are cooler than the rest of the planet, and temperature variations exist between its morning and evening sides. This suggests complex weather patterns similar to those on Earth and other planets in our solar system.
By meticulously analyzing exoplanet atmospheres, scientists gain a deeper understanding of planetary dynamics, including heat redistribution and chemical processes. This research contributes to our knowledge of planet formation and may even shed light on the origins of our own solar system. With over 5,000 exoplanets discovered to date, there’s still much to learn.
https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso2502/eso2502a.pdf
https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/wasp-127-b/
