Earth is often referred to as the “blue planet,” or “pale blue dot,” due of course to the abundance of liquid water on its surface (about 70 percent is covered by water). But now astronomers have found another blue planet, and on this world, instead of water, it likely rains glass — and sideways at that, thanks to the planet’s unfathomably strong 4,500 mile-per-hour winds. The gigantic, Jupiter-sized planet, designated HD 189733b, was actually first discovered by French astronomers in 2005. But recent observations made with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have revealed far more fascinating details about its surface conditions and the color of its atmosphere.
via The Verge
Image: NASA, ESA, AND G. BACON (STSCI)
