The LIRA has produced an advanced numerical simulation resulting in a three-dimensional map of rock clouds forming in the atmosphere of a brown dwarf.
These celestial objects, more massive than planets but not massive enough to be stars, have temperatures high enough to allow clouds made of silicates and other refractory materials to form. The simulation reveals a highly dynamic atmosphere, shaped by complex flows and density variations.
The aim of this research is to characterize the exotic weather patterns on brown dwarfs. By extension, these studies improve our understanding of the atmospheric mechanisms occurring on hot giant exoplanets.
