TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — “Massive cyclones” were captured by the European Space Agency (ESA) on Saturday.
The stunning visuals show the atmosphere of exoplanet WASP-121 b, also known as Tylos, and the cyclones being repeatedly created and destroyed.
Astronomers used a NASA/ESA telescope, creating the video by merging their observations from the years 2016, 2018, and 2019.
WASP-121 b is described as a hot Jupiter, an exoplanet with no direct solar system analog, and has temperatures exceeding 3,000 Kelvins. They’re inflated gas giants that complete an orbit in a matter of a few days.
ESA said the massive cyclones are a result of the temperature difference between the exoplanet’s dark side, and the star-facing side.
To learn more, visit esahubble.org.