Planet has clouds of metal and showers of gems

The universe is indeed vast and mysterious, so it's a consensus within the scientific community that we still know very little about it. However, some discoveries are currently possible due to the advancement of technology, such as the discovery of WASP-121b, a planet with metal clouds.

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“Hot Jupiter”

The planet received the nickname "Hot Jupiter", as it has a number of physical similarities with the well-known planet in the Solar System. As for the adjective “hot”, this is due to the fact that the planet is closer to its solar star.

However, little is actually known about WASP-121b, after all it was only discovered in 2015, and the distance of 880 light years from Earth does not help in studies. However, this situation could change at any time, as researchers have started using data from the Hubble Space Telescope in a recent study.

And then, through this instrument, it is already possible to think of a detailed measurement of the planet and also some curious details. For example, it is known that WASP-121 b has a daytime and a dark side, and in the daytime metals and minerals evaporate, like rain. This is because the temperature during the “day” can reach up to 3,000°C, while at night the temperature can drop by up to half.

The metals of WASP-121b

In addition, the researchers were able to visualize that the planet has signs of metals, which are like magnesium, iron, vanadium and chromium. Furthermore, these metals are estimated to be present in the form of gases on the dayside of Hot Jupiter.

Thus, during the night, the sudden onset of cold is enough to make these metals solid. Thus, clouds of metals are born, the result of condensation from the cold climate, and even in the WASP-121B there is also water that turns into steam. But while the metal clouds move toward the dayside of the planet, the water clouds move toward the nightside.