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Scientists found strong winds on a gas giant planet called WASP-127b. This planet is more than 500 light years away from Earth. The winds move very fast—up to 33,000 kilometers (20,000 miles) per hour. This makes them the fastest winds known on any planet.
Researchers studied light reflected from WASP-127b. They found signals showing water and carbon dioxide. These signals suggest there are very fast winds around the planet’s middle. Lisa Nortmann, the study’s lead author, explained that part of the atmosphere moves toward us quickly, while another part moves away at the same speed.
WASP-127b is bigger than Jupiter, but it is lighter—only 16% of Jupiter’s mass. One side of the planet is very hot, over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit). The other side is very cold and dark.
The team also found carbon monoxide gas in expected amounts. This helps scientists understand how gas giant planets form. These findings can teach us more about our own Solar System.
This research was published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
Giant/ˈdʒaɪənt/adjective
Of very large size or importance.
Atmosphere/ˈætməsfɪr/noun
The envelope of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet.
Reflect/rɪˈflɛkt/verb
To throw back (light heat or sound) without absorbing it.
Signals/ˈsɪɡnəlz/noun
Indicators or messages that convey information.
Understand/ˌʌndərˈstænd/verb
To grasp the meaning significance or nature of something.
Published/ˈpʌblɪʃt/verb
To prepare and issue (a book journal piece of music etc.) for public sale.
