Extreme Exoplanet WASP-121 b Features Iron Rain and Jet Stream Winds

Astronomers have discovered extreme weather conditions on exoplanet WASP-121 b, located 900 light-years from Earth. The planet, an ultra-hot Jupiter, experiences iron rain and powerful jet stream winds. Using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, researchers mapped the planet's atmosphere in three dimensions, revealing jet streams that circulate material around the equator and transport gas between the hot and cooler sides. The wind patterns challenge current understanding of planetary weather. Tidal locking causes extreme temperature differences between the planet's day and night sides, with iron and other metals evaporating on the hot side and condensing into liquid metal rain on the cooler side. The discovery of titanium in the lower atmosphere was unexpected, and the study highlights the importance of ground-based observations for detailed exoplanet analysis.