Astronomers Map 3D Atmosphere of Distant Exoplanet WASP-121b

The ultra-hot Jupiter, located 900 light-years away, exhibits unprecedented weather patterns with supersonic winds and layered atmospheric flows.

WASP-121b, also known as Tylos, is an ultra-hot Jupiter with a tidally locked orbit, resulting in extreme temperature differences between its day and night sides.
Astronomers used the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope to create the first 3D map of an exoplanet's atmosphere, revealing distinct layers of winds and chemical compositions.
The planet's atmosphere features a powerful equatorial jet stream of sodium, supersonic iron-rich winds in the lower layer, and hydrogen escaping into space in the upper layer.
Titanium, previously undetected, was found buried deep in the atmosphere, adding complexity to the planet's chemical profile.
These findings challenge current models of planetary weather and mark a breakthrough in understanding atmospheric dynamics on alien worlds.