Astronomers have just achieved a scientific feat: for the first time, they have drawn up a three-dimensional map of the atmosphere of an exoplanet, a planet located beyond our solar system. Thanks to an advanced technique using the four telescopes of the very large telescope (VLT) in Chile, they were able to take an interest in the weather on the planet and observed strong winds carrying chemical elements such as iron and titanium, drawing a Fascinating and unique meteorological picture.
“” The atmosphere of this planet behaves in a way that questions our understanding of the functioning of weather conditions, not only on earth, but on all planets. It feels like a science fiction film », Ignites Julia Victoria Seidel, researcher at the European Austral Observatory (ESO) in Chile and the main author of the study published today in the journal Nature.
An extreme planet
The planet in question, named WASP-121B or Tylos, is around 900 light years from the earth, in the constellation of Puppis. It is an ultra-chaude Jupiter, a sparkling giant in orbit so close to its star that its year lasts only thirty terrestrial hours. This extreme proximity means that one side of the planet is constantly exposed to intense heat, while the other remains significantly colder.
Astronomers have surveyed the different layers of its atmosphere and made an incredible discovery: strong winds blow in directions opposite to different altitudes. A powerful “jet current” carries gas around the equator of the planet, while other winds bring the material on the hot side to the cold side. This type of phenomenon has never been observed before on any planet, including in our own solar system.
A weather more violent than ever
To obtain this cartography, astronomers used an instrument called Espresso, which allowed them to analyze the light emitted by the star crossing the atmosphere of the planet. This made it possible to identify chemical elements such as iron, sodium and hydrogen at different altitudes, thus giving a complete image of the atmospheric structure.
These observations revolutionize our understanding of the climate of exoplanets and open the way to the study of even smaller and potentially habitable worlds. However, to go further, even more powerful instruments will be necessary. This is where the future giant ELT (Extremely Large Telescope) telescope) will intervene, currently under construction in the Atacama desert in Chile.
“” The ELT will revolutionize our way of studying planetary atmospheres and could even help us detect signs of life elsewhere in the universe “, Anticipates Bibiana Prinoth, researcher involved in the study.
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