The Hubble Space Telescope recently captured stunning new images of Jupiter, showcasing the gas giant’s swirling storms and tumultuous cloud bands. This marks the first time that Hubble has been able to capture both hemispheres of Jupiter in one image, thanks to the planet’s rapid 10-hour rotation.
Jupiter is currently experiencing a high level of activity, with numerous large storms and small white clouds visible in the images. The planet’s atmosphere is divided into lighter bands called ‘zones’ that rise and darker bands called ‘belts’ that sink, creating a dynamic and ever-changing environment.
One of the most famous features of Jupiter, the Great Red Spot, has been shrinking at an alarming rate over the years. Scientists are baffled by this phenomenon, as well as by other storms on the planet, such as the Red Spot Junior, which are inexplicably turning red.
The annual images of Jupiter taken by Hubble provide valuable insights into the gas giant’s atmosphere. The cause of the Great Red Spot’s shrinking remains a mystery, prompting speculation about its future. The images also reveal smaller storms on Jupiter, including cyclones and anticyclones, as well as details of the planet’s innermost moon, Io.
Overall, the images captured by Hubble offer a fascinating glimpse into the intricate and ever-changing world of Jupiter. Scientists will continue to study this data to better understand the mysteries of the gas giant and its dynamic atmosphere.
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