NASA's Webb Telescope Spots Dust Storms on a Distant Exoplanet

Researchers proved that its swirling clouds are made up of silicate particles, ranging from tiny specks to small grains. The temperature of the atmosphere reaches 830 degrees Celsius (1,500 degrees Fahrenheit).

NASA's Webb Telescope Spots Dust Storms on a Distant Exoplanet

Astronomers have observed a raging dust storm outside the solar system for the first time. It was discovered on an exoplanet known as VHS 1256 b, which is about 40 light-years from Earth.

The planet orbits two stars and takes about 10 thousand years to complete a full revolution. The planet is located about four times farther away from its stars than Pluto is from the Sun. Its age is about 150 million years.

Researchers proved that its swirling clouds are made up of silicate particles, ranging from tiny specks to small grains. The temperature of the atmosphere reaches 830 degrees Celsius (1,500 degrees Fahrenheit).

The dust storm was observed using the James Webb Space Telescope.