In a study published on Tuesday in the journal, astrophysicists discovered that on WASP-127b, an exoplanet located around 520 light-years from Earth, winds are whistling at speeds of about 20,500 miles (33,000 km) per hour, making them the fastest recorded on any known planet. The planet is classified as a "hot Jupiter," larger than Jupiter but less dense.
WASP-127b orbits its host star every four days at just 5% of the Earth-sun distance and experiences scorching temperatures. The planet's unique atmospheric composition includes hydrogen, helium, carbon monoxide, and water. Its extreme winds are primarily fueled by the star's intense radiation.
Researchers used the CRIRES+ instrument on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile to analyze the planet's atmosphere. The study highlighted the complexities of exoplanet atmospheres and the evolving ability to explore their intricacies in detail, opening doors to further discoveries in this dynamic field.