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Health & Science2h 44m ago

Astronomers detected that the evening terminator of the exoplanet WASP-121 b is hotter than its morning one, a first-time measurement achieved by observing the planet's rotation during a single transit with the James Webb Space Telescope.

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WASP-121 b (exoplanet)

Who
Astronomers, James Webb Space Telescope, Cyril Gapp
What
Astronomers detected that the evening terminator of the exoplanet WASP-121 b is hotter than its morning one, a first-time measurement achieved by observing the planet's rotation during a single transit with the James Webb Space Telescope.
When
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:08:23 GMT · 2h 44m ago
Where
WASP-121 b (exoplanet) ·
Why
The strong equatorial jet on WASP-121 b drags heat eastward from the permanently lit dayside towards the night side, piling heat onto the evening side.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This observation provides a new method for astronomers to study exoplanet atmospheres and their circulation in detail, enabling a better understanding of weather patterns on distant worlds.

Story chain

4 events in this thread
  1. Currently Reading2h 44m ago
    Astronomers detected that the evening terminator of the exoplanet WASP-121 b is hotter than its morning one, a first-time measurement achieved by observing the planet's rotation during a single transit with the James Webb Space Telescope.
  2. Health & Science2h 44m ago
    Astronomers watched the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-121 b cross its star and detected, for the first time, that its evening terminator is hotter than its morning one, by measuring how the planet's silhouette changed as it rotated during the transit.
    Open article
  3. Health & Science5h 24m ago
    James Webb Space Telescope observations suggest that the two day-night boundary zones on the gas exoplanet WASP-121 b are chemically different from each other.
    Open article
  4. Health & Science5h 24m ago
    JWST observations suggest that the two day-night boundary zones on the gas exoplanet WASP-121 b are chemically different from each other.
    Open article

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