Description

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Context:

Scientists have detected 'supersonic winds' travelling at a speed of 33,000 km per hour on a giant gaseous planet named WASP-127b.

About WASP 127 b

Feature	Description
Type	Hot Jupiter (Gas Giant Exoplanet)
Location	Milky Way Galaxy
Distance from Earth	Approximately 520 light-years
Host Star	Similar to our Sun
Orbit	Very close to its host star (~5% of the Earth-Sun distance)
Orbital Period	Completes one orbit in ~4 days
Tidal Locking	One side always faces the star (dayside), the other remains dark (night side)
Temperature	~2,060°F (1,400 K / 1,127°C)
Polar Temperature	Cooler than the rest of the planet.
Size	~30% larger in diameter than Jupiter.
Mass	~16% of Jupiter's mass (one of the least dense planets observed)
Composition	Mainly hydrogen and helium with traces of carbon monoxide and water.
Surface	No solid surface; consists of dense atmospheric layers.
Atmospheric Pressure	Increases with depth into the gaseous layers.
Winds	Extreme equatorial winds are among the fastest recorded on any planet.

Significance:

Atmospheric dynamics: The WASP-127B study helps to understand wind circulation and extreme weather conditions.
EXOPLANET classification: provides insight into the formation and structure of hot Jupiter’s.
Future space survey: understanding these atmospheric conditions helps in modeling planetary climate in distant solar systems.

What are Exoplanets?

Category	Details
Definition	Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside our solar system.
First Discovery	Confirmed in 1992.
Number Discovered	Over 5,000 exoplanets were identified (as per NASA).
Abundance	Scientists believe there are more planets than stars, as most stars have at least one planet.
Size & Composition	Exoplanets vary in size and type: Gas giants (larger than Jupiter), Small and rocky (like Earth).
Temperature Range	Can be boiling or cold depending on their distance from the host star.
Challenges in Observation	Hard to see directly due to the bright starlight overpowering them.
Detection Methods	1. Transit Method - Measures dimming of a star when a planet passes in front of it. 2. Gravitational Microlensing: Light from a distant star bends due to gravity when a planet moves between the star and Earth.
Importance of Study	Expands knowledge of other solar systems. Helps understand the formation and evolution of planets. Aims to answer whether life exists beyond Earth.
Goldilocks Zone	The habitable zone where an exoplanet is at the right distance from its star to have liquid water, a key factor for potential life.

Source:

NEWS18

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Exoplanets have become a significant area of research in recent years. Discuss the methods used to discover exoplanets and their implications for understanding the potential for life beyond Earth. (150 words)