The Jupiter’s Great Red Spotknown as the largest storm in the world solar systemfascinated scientists and astronomers for centuries. Recent observations of Hubble Space Telescope revealed surprising changes in the behavior of this gigantic storm. What was previously considered a stable structure showed unexpected variationswhich is why they caught the attention of the scientific community.
According to the criteria of
According to CNN, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is a gigantic anticyclonethat is, a massive circulation of winds that revolves around an area of high pressure in the planet’s atmosphere. Throughout the last 190 years, this phenomenon was a icon of extreme weather in our solar system. However, new images captured by Hubble between December and March revealed that The Great Red Spot “moves like jelly” and changes shape unexpectedly.
These observations were described by the research team as unpublished. According to Amy Simon, a planetary scientist at NASA, to the aforementioned portal, the Changes in the shape and size of the Great Red Spot had not been previously identified. Using high-resolution images, scientists observed that the storm oscillates in its shape and speedwhich suggests that it is much more dynamic than previously thought.
A surprising and enigmatic behavior on the planet
One of the most intriguing aspects of this storm is its longevity. While storms on Earth typically dissipate quickly, the Great Red Spot persists for nearly two centuries. However, despite its longevity, the storm began to show signs of contraction and changes in its structure. Scientists predict this anticyclone will continue to shrink until it reaches a more stable form, which could affect its general behavior and interaction with other storms.
Another relevant finding is the variation in storm speed. As the Great Red Spot accelerates and decelerates, it presses against the planet’s jet streams. This behavior suggests a complex interaction between the storm and Jupiter’s atmospheric currents, the aforementioned portal highlights.
Images of the new discovery
Photo:
Share
The new observations, in addition to providing data on the behavior of the Great Red Spot, also They help understand atmospheric phenomena on other planetsincluding exoplanets. The study of weather systems on different celestial bodies is essential to expand our knowledge of how atmospheres work in extreme conditions.
The James Webb Telescope also provided key informationrevealing that the center of the storm is colder than previously thought. This cooling causes the condensation of ammonia and water, creating dense clouds. Besides, the presence of phosphine gas within the vortex could be responsible for the distinctive red color that makes the Great Red Spot so characteristic.
Even though the storm is decreasing in size, remains a mystery to scientists. The ability to observe the Great Red Spot in greater detail, thanks to technological advances, allowed us to discover patterns and behaviors that previously went unnoticed.
