Exoplanet weather refers to the atmospheric conditions and meteorological phenomena occurring on exoplanets, which are planets located outside our solar system. This term encompasses various aspects of an exoplanet’s atmosphere, including temperature variations, cloud formations, storm activity, wind patterns, and precipitation. Scientists study exoplanet weather to understand the potential for habitability, atmospheric composition, and possible climatic dynamics, often by using data collected from telescopes and space missions. By analyzing light curves and spectral data from these distant worlds, researchers can infer information about the weather systems that may exist on exoplanets, offering insights into their environmental conditions and potential similarities or differences compared to Earth’s weather systems. Understanding exoplanet weather is crucial for evaluating the habitability of these distant worlds and for the broader study of planetary atmospheres in the universe.
The James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered a distant exoplanet's astonishing weather report, painting a vivid picture of a turbulent atmosphere. WASP-43 b, also known as Astrolábos, located a mere…