Astronomers Detect Record-Breaking Supersonic Winds on Exoplanet WASP-127b

The gas giant, located over 500 light-years from Earth, has equatorial winds reaching 33,000 km/h, the fastest ever measured in the universe.

WASP-127b, a gas giant slightly larger than Jupiter but far less dense, features supersonic jet streams moving at 33,000 kilometers per hour around its equator.
The winds, nearly six times faster than the planet's rotation, are the fastest ever recorded on any planet, surpassing even Neptune's extreme winds of 1,800 km/h.
Astronomers used the CRIRES+ instrument on the Very Large Telescope in Chile to measure the planet's atmospheric dynamics during a 6.6-hour observation.
The planet exhibits complex weather patterns, including significant temperature differences between its poles and equator, and between its morning and evening sides.
The study provides new insights into atmospheric circulation and heat distribution on exoplanets, helping to advance understanding of planetary formation and dynamics.