Tylos: The Hellish Exoplanet With Supersonic Winds and Metal

Astronomers have unveiled an astonishing celestial phenomenon—a planet with extreme weather conditions that defy existing models. Using the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, scientists have mapped the atmospheric structure of Tylos (WASP-121b), a gas giant located 900 light-years away in the constellation Puppis. What they found was beyond anything seen in our solar system: hurricane-force winds carrying iron, sodium, and hydrogen at record-breaking speeds.

“This planet’s atmosphere behaves in ways that challenge our understanding of how weather works—not just on Earth, but on all planets,” said Julia Victoria Seidel, lead author of the study published in Nature. “It feels like something out of science fiction.”

What Makes Tylos Unique?

• Category: Hot Jupiter (gas giant similar to Jupiter but with a much closer orbit to its star)

• Orbital Period: Just 30 hours

• Atmospheric Conditions: Powerful jet streams moving iron and hydrogen

• Tidally Locked: One side faces its star permanently (scorching hot), while the other remains much cooler

Tylos' Violent Jet Streams—A First in Astronomy

By studying light passing through Tylos’ atmosphere as it transited its host star, scientists discovered that the planet experiences three separate layers of winds:

1. Equatorial Jet Stream – Moves sodium across the planet faster than its rotation

2. Mid-Layer Winds – Transport iron from the hot dayside to the cooler nightside

3. Upper Hydrogen Winds – A high-altitude layer of hydrogen motion, previously undetected in exoplanets

“This kind of climate has never been seen before on any planet,” Seidel remarked. “Even the strongest hurricanes in our solar system seem calm in comparison.”

How Scientists Observed Tylos' Atmosphere

The study leveraged ESO’s ESPRESSO instrument, allowing researchers to analyze starlight filtered through the planet’s atmosphere. By tracking the movement of iron, sodium, and hydrogen, they mapped Tylos' dynamic weather system for the first time.

“The ability to study a planet’s climate and chemical makeup at this scale is mind-blowing,” said Bibiana Prinoth, a PhD student at Lund University, Sweden, and a co-author of the study.

Why This Matters for the Future of Space Exploration

While VLT provides insights into gas giants, astronomers believe upcoming telescopes—such as the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) and the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)—will soon help study Earth-like planets in greater detail. This research could bring humanity one step closer to identifying habitable worlds beyond our solar system.

Prinoth added, “This experience makes me feel like we’re on the verge of uncovering incredible things we can only dream about now.”

Conclusion: A Glimpse Into the Universe’s Wildest Weather

The discovery of Tylos reshapes our understanding of planetary atmospheres. With record-breaking winds, exotic chemical compositions, and a never-before-seen three-layered jet stream, this exoplanet stands as a scientific marvel. Future space missions and advanced telescopes may soon unlock even greater cosmic secrets.

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Source: Nature, Astronomy & Astrophysics, European Southern Observatory (ESO)

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