Illustration showing the night-side of exoplanet WASP-76b. The planet lies about 391 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Pisces. It has a night-side and day-side because it is tidally locked, with the planet constantly showing its parent star the same face, causing exotic weather. On the day-side of the planet, temperatures can rise to above 2, 400 degrees Celsius, high enough to vaporise metals. Whilst on the cooler night-side, iron vapor, carried over by strong winds, condenses into iron droplets. The exoplanet has an evening border (left), where it transitions from day to night. |