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Health & Science4h 47m ago

Astronomers detected that the evening terminator of the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-121 b is hotter than its morning one.

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WASP-121 b

Who
astronomers, Cyril Gapp, James Webb Space Telescope
What
Astronomers detected that the evening terminator of the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-121 b is hotter than its morning one.
When
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:08:23 GMT · 4h 47m ago
Where
WASP-121 b ·
Why
This difference was found by measuring how the planet's silhouette changed as it rotated during a single transit observed by the James Webb Space Telescope.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This observation provides a new method for studying exoplanet atmospheres and weather patterns, demonstrating that a planet's rotation during a single transit can reveal atmospheric conditions and temperature asymmetries.

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