Weather patterns in a mysterious world beyond our solar system have been revealed for the first time, a study suggests.

Layers of clouds, made up of hot dust and droplets of molten iron, have been detected on a planet-like object found 75 light years from Earth, researchers say.

Findings from the study could improve scientists’ ability to find out if conditions in far-off planets are capable of sustaining life.

Cloud cover

University researchers used a telescope in Chile to study the weather systems in the distant world - known as PSO J318.5-22 - which is estimated to be around 20 million-years-old.

They captured hundreds of infra-red images of the object as it rotated over a 5-hour period.

By comparing the brightness of PSO J318.5-22 with neighbouring bodies, the team discovered that it is covered in multiple layers of thick and thin cloud.

Measuring brightness

The far-off world is around the same size as Jupiter - the largest planet in our solar system - but is roughly eight times more massive, the team says.

Temperatures inside clouds on PSO J318.5-22 exceed 800°C, researchers say.

The team were able to accurately measure changes in brightness on PSO J318.5-22 because it does not orbit a star.

Stars like our sun emit huge amounts of light, which can complicate measurements made of the brightness of objects orbiting them, researchers say.

Earth-like planets

Such techniques may eventually be applicable to cooler, lower mass planets, which are more likely to be capable of supporting life.

The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, was funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. The work also involved institutions in the US, Germany, France and Spain.