Astronomers have discovered over 4,000 planets using a variety of different methods. Recently, astronomers utilizing a new device on the Very Large Telescope located in the nation of Chile discovered a new planet that has an unusual phenomenon. According to the scientists who have studied this planet, one side of the planet receives a type of rainfall that consists of molten iron.
Scientists discovered the new planet that they are calling Wasp-76b in the constellation Pisces. They were using a tool called Espresso that was designed to help astronomers find planets that were at a distance from their sun that was equivalent to the distance that our planet is from our sun. In this instance, Espresso found a gas-giant planet that is only about three percent of the distance from its sun that the earth is from its sun.
Wasp-76b has a locked orbit. This means that only one side of the planet ever faces it sun. That makes one side of the planet much hotter than the other side. The side that is facing the sun is so hot that iron is able to evaporate out into the atmosphere. This atmospheric iron then is formed into clouds.
Because the two sides of Wasp-76b have such different temperatures, the winds on the planet reach incredible speeds. This causes the clouds made from evaporated iron to be pushed rapidly over to the side of the planet that is always facing away from the sun. As the temperature decreases at an extraordinary rate, the iron begins to fall to the surface of Wasp-76b in a liquefied form. It is a type of molten iron rain.
Astronomers are hoping to make even more planetary discovers when the James Webb Space Telescope is set to be launched. This telescope will allow astronomers to see far into the universe in order to make their discoveries.
