JWST maps weather on distant gas giant

The James Webb Space Telescope has provided unprecedented insights into the atmospheric conditions of WASP-94A b, a hot gas giant located 700 light-years away. Scientists utilized limb-resolved spectroscopy, a technique that analyzes light from different parts of the planet's edge during its transit, to differentiate between the morning and evening sides. This method revealed significant atmospheric variations, with the morning side exhibiting high-altitude aerosols and clouds, while the evening side showed clearer skies with abundant water vapor. These findings challenge previous assumptions about exoplanet atmosphere studies, highlighting the need for more nuanced observational techniques.