Researchers have recently recorded some simulations of an exoplanet called "Hot Jupiter" that showed something interesting. It seemed like the winds of the exoplanet were getting disrupted due to its magnetism.
HAT-P 7B's Normal Day
In the exoplanet HAT-P 7B, it is usually windy and stiff easterlies would typically go through its atmosphere. It can also have its winds blow in different directions, which would make it more unpredictable. Now, there are simulations of the planet's magnetic field lines illustrating that its magnetic field could influence the winds, even turning some into the westerlies, Science News reported.
HAT-P 7B, The "Hot Jupiter"
HAT-P 7B or "hot Jupiter" as some researchers call it, is a gas giant that orbits its star once every 2.2 Earth days. This is an exoplanet located 1,043 light-years away and it is tidally locked, which means one side always faces toward its start while the other would face the other way. This makes the exoplanet have temperatures that go to about 1,900 degrees Celsius during the day, while 900 degrees Celsius at night.
With these extreme temperatures, the exoplanet tends to have strong easterly winds, which was recorded from an analysis of data from the Kepler satellite. That analysis also uncovered that over time, the winds would become mercurial.
HAT-P 7B Magnetic Field Might Be Key
The magnetic field generated by the exoplanet could be the key or the connection to its winds. Senior Scientist Tamara M. Rogers was the one that discovered that there is substantial variability in the winds on it was because of its magnetism, and it could be used to develop a new method to constrain the magnetic field of an object. She said that extreme temperatures would ionize alkali metals like lithium, sodium, and potassium, which results in disrupting the strong eastward winds.
Future Use Of HAT-P 7B Observations
Rogers also said that the observations they did on the exoplanet could be used to place constraints on the magnetic field strengths of other giant exoplanets. This could also lead to new studies of dynamo theory, planetary evolution, and interpretations of star-planet magnetic interactions in the future, according to the official website of Phys.org.
Check out the Winds Of Rubies And Sapphiers Strike The Sky Of Giant Planet video below:
