James Webb reveals a strange bulge in an alien planet's atmosphere
First reported Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:27:29 GMT · Last updated
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered that a distant alien planet's atmosphere is surprisingly lopsided. Located 1,300 light-years away, the scorching gas giant WASP-17b experiences powerful winds that redistribute heat, causing one side of its atmosphere to bulge outward. A groundbreaking new mapping technique revealed these hidden distortions, confirming predictions about how extreme temperatures and winds shape alien worlds.
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- Science DailyJames Webb reveals a strange bulge in an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered that a distant alien planet's atmosphere is surprisingly lopsided. Located 1,300 light-years away, the scorching gas giant WASP-17b experiences powerful winds that redistribute heat, causing one side of its atmosphere to bulge outward. A groundbreaking new mapping technique revealed these hidden distortions, confirming predictions about how extreme temperatures and winds shape alien worlds.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:27:29 GMT
Timeline
- 2026-10-16 23:27Science Daily — James Webb reveals a strange bulge in an alien planet's atmosphere
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