Record-Breaking Winds Found on Planet WASP-127b
Earth’s jet streams are known for their high-speed winds, often reaching more than 275 miles (442 km) per hour. However, they pale in comparison to winds on other planets in the universe. On Neptune, for example, high-altitude winds can reach speeds of 1,200 miles (2,000 km) per hour. Even these are mild compared to the supersonic winds on the distant planet WASP-127b.
Supersonic Winds on WASP-127b
Astronomers have measured jet-stream winds on WASP-127b blowing at an incredible speed of about 20,500 miles (33,000 km) per hour. This gaseous giant orbits a sun-like star approximately 520 light-years away in the Milky Way galaxy. Its winds are the fastest of their kind ever recorded on any planet.
“This planet hosts an extremely fast circumplanetary jet wind at its equator, with a surprisingly high velocity,” explained astrophysicist Lisa Nortmann from the University of Göttingen, who led the study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
WASP-127b belongs to a class of exoplanets known as “hot Jupiters.” These gas giants orbit their stars at extremely close distances. WASP-127b is about 30% larger in diameter than Jupiter but only has 16% of Jupiter’s mass, making it one of the least dense planets ever discovered.
A Unique and Extreme Atmosphere
Due to its close proximity to its host star, WASP-127b completes an orbit in roughly four days. It lies only 5% of the Earth-Sun distance, leaving it constantly exposed to intense stellar radiation. Like our Moon, the planet is tidally locked, meaning one side always faces its star, creating a scorching “day side,” while the “night side” remains in permanent shadow.
The planet’s atmosphere reaches temperatures of 2,060°F (1,127°C) and consists mostly of hydrogen and helium. Traces of carbon monoxide and water were also detected during this research.
“The planet has no rocky surface beneath its atmospheric layers. The gases grow denser and more pressurised as you move deeper into the planet,” said David Cont, a co-author of the study from Ludwig Maximilian University in Germany.
What Drives These Supersonic Winds?
The powerful winds on WASP-127b are primarily driven by the intense heat from its host star. However, other factors, including the planet’s rotation and atmospheric composition, also influence these extreme wind patterns.
Tracking these winds required advanced tools. Using CRIRES+, an instrument on the Very Large Telescope in Chile, researchers measured the speed of molecules in the atmosphere through the “transit” method. This involves observing the slight dimming of the host star’s light as the planet passes in front of it.
Advancements in Exoplanet Research
The study of WASP-127b highlights the rapid progress in exoplanet research. Improved instruments and observational techniques now allow scientists to explore exoplanet atmospheres in greater detail, studying their wind patterns, temperature variations, and chemical processes.
“Each new observation surprises us and deepens our understanding of these planets,” Cont added. “These results show how much more we still have to learn about planetary atmospheres.”
With inputs from Reuters
