Astronomers have discovered winds blowing at an astonishing 33,000 km/hour on WASP-127b, making them the fastest jet-stream winds ever observed on any known planet.
- This massive gaseous planet is located about 520 light-years away in the Milky Way galaxy and orbits its star very closely.
What Are Jet Streams?
- Jet streams are narrow bands of fast-moving winds that flow from west to east in the atmosphere.
- This stream blows with winds of more than 442 km per hour, but they are not the strongest in your solar system.
| How do jet streams affect the climate of India?
Jet streams affect the climate of India in various ways.
- Subtropical Jet Stream (STJ) affect the onset and withdrawal of the Indian monsoon.
- In summer, STJ shifts northward due to which monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall.
- In winter, STJ shifts southward which causes drier conditions.
- Westerly jet streams create western disturbances which cause winter rains in the north and north-western part of India.
- These disturbances play a significant role in agriculture by providing moisture during winter month.
- Cyclonic activity: Troughs and ridges created by jet streams can cause cyclonic activity, causing storms and heavy rainfall.
- Troughs are elongated regions of low pressure.
- Ridges are elongated region of high pressure.
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- The Earth has four main jet streams:
- Two polar jet streams near the north and south poles.
- Two subtropical jet streams near the equator.
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Why Do Jet Streams Form?
- Jet streams are created when warm air meets cold air in the atmosphere.
- The Sun heats the Earth unevenly:
- The equator is warmer because it gets more sunlight.
- The poles are colder due to less sunlight.
- When warm air rises and cold air sinks, the movement of air creates strong winds high in the atmosphere, forming jet streams.
What is WASP-127b?
- WASP-127b is a type of exoplanet called a hot Jupiter, which is a gas giant orbiting very close to its star.
- Discovery: 2016 Composition – Mainly of hydrogen and helium.It is about 30% larger than Jupiter but has only 16% of Jupiter’s mass, making it very “puffy.”
Exoplanet
- An exoplanet is a planet located outside our solar system.
- While most exoplanets orbit other stars, there are also some that drift through space without orbiting a star, known as rogue planets.
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- The planet orbits its star once every four days at a distance that is only 5% of the Earth-Sun distance.
- This makes it extremely hot, with temperatures around 1,127°C (2,060°F).
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Unique Features of WASP-127b
- Tidally Locked Rotation
- Similar to how the moon always shows the same side to Earth, WASP-127b is tidally locked.
- One side of the planet permanently faces its star, known as the day side, while the other side remains in perpetual darkness, called the night side.
- Atmospheric Composition
- The planet’s atmosphere is primarily made up of hydrogen and helium, the lightest gases.
- It also contains traces of more complex molecules such as water and carbon monoxide, detected through advanced research.
- Temperature Variation
- The polar regions of WASP-127b are cooler compared to its equatorial regions, which experience intense heat due to constant exposure to the star’s radiation.
How Does WASP-127b Compare to Other Planets?
- Other Exoplanets: Higher wind speeds have been observed on two other exoplanets, but those winds typically flow from the day side to the night side.
- Unique Wind Pattern: WASP-127b’s winds are unique because they circle around the entire planet at the equator.
Why Are Winds So Fast on WASP-127b?
Several factors cause the intense wind speeds on WASP-127b:
- Intense Heat from the Host Star
- The planet is very close to its star, receiving strong radiation that heats its atmosphere.
- This energy creates temperature differences that drive strong winds.
- Tidal Locking
- The day side is constantly heated, while the night side remains cool.
- This creates a thermal imbalance, causing air to move rapidly.
- Low Mass and High Size
- WASP-127b is very large but not very dense, making its atmosphere “fluffy.”
- This allows wind to circulate freely and at high speeds.
- Other Dynamic Factors
- Wind patterns are shaped by complex interactions between heat, pressure, and the planet’s rotation.
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Why Is This Discovery Important?
Understanding the extreme winds on WASP-127b helps astronomers learn more about:
- Atmospheric Dynamics: How atmospheres behave under different conditions.
- Planet Formation and Evolution: Insights into how such puffed-up planets come to exist.
- Exoplanet Habitability: Studying diverse exoplanets expands our knowledge about the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.
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