This animation shows a computer simulation of the planet HD 80606b starting 2.2 days before a close approach to its planet star and ending 8.9 days later. The blue areas are reflected starlight, and the red regions are areas of the planet that are glowing with their own intrinsic heat. The point of closest approach -- and maximum heating -- occurs about 4.5 seconds into the animation. As the planet whips around the star, we see the evolving thermal storm patterns across its dark side. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCSC
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