California (Web Desk): American astronomers have directly observed changes in the thickness of water clouds on a cold astronomical object roughly the size of Jupiter for the first time. The discovery is being described as a significant step forward in understanding weather patterns on worlds beyond our solar system.
A research team led by University of Arizona astronomer Brittany Miles used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe a brown dwarf known as WISE 0855 continuously for 11 hours. The celestial object is located approximately 7.5 light-years from Earth and is considered one of the coldest brown dwarfs discovered so far. Its temperature is estimated to be around 265 kelvin.
Brown dwarfs are astronomical objects more massive than planets but lack the mass required to sustain the nuclear fusion processes that power stars.
According to the study, water clouds in the object’s atmosphere become thicker and thinner as it rotates. In addition, chemical gases deep within the object move towards the upper atmospheric layers through thermal processes.
The scientists recorded the spectrum of light emitted by the brown dwarf every 15 minutes, allowing them to study atmospheric changes in detail. The research has been published in The Astrophysical Journal.
Experts say the findings will help improve understanding of the weather and atmospheric systems of other celestial objects. The research could also open new avenues for studying the environments of worlds beyond our solar system.