** Astronomers Discover Extraordinary Weather Patterns on Exoplanet WASP-121 b **

** Scientists have uncovered unprecedented atmospheric phenomena on the exoplanet WASP-121 b, located approximately 900 light-years from Earth. This extreme "hot Jupiter" is so close to its star that it experiences temperatures high enough for liquid iron to rain down, according to researchers from the Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur. The findings, published in Nature, reveal unexpectedly powerful winds that transport elements like iron and titanium, creating intricate weather systems.

WASP-121 b orbits its star in just 30 Earth hours, resulting in a tidally locked state where one side constantly faces the star, allowing metals to vaporize and condense on the cooler side. Team leader Julia Victoria Seidel characterized the planet's atmospheric behavior as challenging current meteorological understanding. The study utilized the Very Large Telescope in Chile to analyze different layers of the atmosphere, revealing a complex jet stream that was previously unseen on any planet.

The groundbreaking research sheds light on the dynamic nature of atmospheres beyond our solar system, representing a significant advancement in exoplanet studies.

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