Artist’s impression of an exoplanet with a magnetic field (IMAGE)

ESO

Artist’s impression of an exoplanet with a magnetic field

Caption

This illustration shows magnetic activity in an exoplanet. The planet is a gas giant like Jupiter, but it’s very close to its host star and tidally locked: one side always faces the star and is scorching hot, whereas the other side is extremely cold. This steep temperature difference creates fast winds that blow from the day side to the night side. The planet’s magnetic field, shown here with blue lines, can slow these winds down.

Credit

ESO/M. Kornmesser, L. Calçada

Usage Restrictions

Credit must be given to the creator.

License

CC BY

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