Webb telescope maps clouds on exoplanet 690 light-years away
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Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have mapped cloud patterns on exoplanet WASP-94 A b, located 690 light-years from Earth. The study, published in Nature on May 21, reveals streaming and vanishing clouds by analyzing how the planet filters starlight.
The Observation Method
The team used the Webb telescope's infrared spectrograph to measure light from the star WASP-94 A as it passed through the planet's atmosphere. By tracking variations in the light spectrum over multiple orbits, they inferred the presence and movement of cloud layers. The technique, known as transmission spectroscopy, allowed detection of clouds made of silicate particles and possibly iron droplets.
Cloud Dynamics
The data showed clouds forming, dissipating, and reforming on timescales of hours to days, indicating a dynamic atmosphere with strong winds. The planet, a hot Jupiter with a temperature exceeding 1,500 Kelvin, orbits its star every 3.9 days. Such rapid weather changes have not been observed on exoplanets before, the authors note.
What's Next
The research team plans to conduct follow-up observations to study seasonal variations. It remains unclear whether similar cloud patterns exist on other hot Jupiters or if WASP-94 A b is unique.
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Webb telescope maps clouds on exoplanet 690 light-years away
