James Webb Telescope Unveils Wild Weather on WASP-43 b

Scientists have used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to map the weather on the hot gas-giant exoplanet, WASP-43 b. Through precise measurements of mid-infrared light and advanced 3D climate models, they've discovered some fascinating details: thick, high clouds cover the nightside; clear skies dominate the dayside; and equatorial winds race at speeds up to 8,000 kilometers per hour, mixing atmospheric gases around the planet. This breakthrough showcases JWST's incredible ability to measure temperature variations and detect atmospheric gases from trillions of miles away, marking a significant step forward in exoplanet science. Join communications specialist Beth Johnson for a chat with lead author and researcher Taylor Bell from the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute as they discuss these amazing findings and what they mean in the search for habitable worlds. (Recorded 30 May 2024.)