Artist's View of Extrasolar Planet WASP-12b. (IMAGE)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Artist's View of Extrasolar Planet WASP-12b.

Caption

The day side of the planet, called WASP-12b, eats light rather than reflects it into space. The exoplanet, which is twice the size of Jupiter, has the unique capability to trap at least 94 percent of the visible starlight falling into its atmosphere. The temperature of the atmosphere is a seething 4,600 degrees Fahrenheit, which is as hot as a small star. The night side is much cooler, with temperatures roughly 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows water vapor and clouds to form.

Credit

NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI)

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