Context:
Astronomers have discovered that WASP-127b, a giant gaseous planet 520 light-years away, has jet-stream winds blowing at an incredible 33,000 km/hour as it orbits its star closely.
Jet Streams
- Jet streams are narrow bands of fast-moving winds that flow from west to east in the atmosphere.
- These streams blow with winds of more than 442 km/hour, but they are not the strongest in our solar system.
- The Earth has four main jet streams:
- Two polar jet streams near the north and south poles.
- Two subtropical jet streams near the equator.
Why Jet Streams Form?
- Jet streams are created when warm air meets cold air in the atmosphere.
- The Sun heats the Earth unevenly:
- The equator is warmer because it gets more sunlight.
- The poles are colder due to less sunlight.
- When warm air rises and cold air sinks, the movement of air creates strong winds high in the atmosphere, forming jet streams.
WASP-127b
- Type: Exoplanet called a hot Jupiter.
- Orbit: Very close to its star, a G-type star.
- Discovery: 2016.
- Composition: Mainly hydrogen and helium.
- Size: About 30% larger than Jupiter but only 16% of Jupiter’s mass, making it very “puffy.”
- Orbital Period: Orbits its star every four days.
- Distance from Star: Only 5% of the Earth-Sun distance.
Unique Features of WASP-127b:
- Tidally Locked Rotation: One side always faces the star (day side), the other side remains dark (night side).
- Atmosphere: Mostly hydrogen and helium, with traces of water and carbon monoxide.
- Temperature Variation: Cooler at poles, extremely hot at the equator.
- Wind Pattern: Winds circle the entire planet at the equator.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.
2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.
3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10ºC lesser than that of the surroundings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (c)