New observations from the Hubble Space Telescope have revealed fascinating insights about the Great Red Spot on Jupiter – a colossal storm that has persisted for 190 years.
The images captured show that this storm is not entirely stationary as it appears; in fact, it oscillates like gelatin and changes shape, similar to a stretched balloon being squeezed.
Over a period of 90 days, from December 2023 to March 2024, Hubble recorded unusual movements of the Great Red Spot.
The storm not only varies in speed but also in size. NASA scientist Amy Simon stated: “We know that the storm’s movement changes over time, but it’s surprising that its size also fluctuates. This is the first time we have enough data to observe this.”
The Great Red Spot is the largest anticyclone in the Solar System, large enough to contain Earth. Although this storm has existed for nearly two centuries, recent changes in its motion and shape suggest its structure is far more complex than previously thought.
Through time-lapse images, scientists discovered that the storm sways and changes size over time. These findings were published in the journal Planetary Science and presented at the annual meeting of the Planetary Science Division of the American Astronomical Society.
Additionally, astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe the Great Red Spot in infrared light, while Hubble focused on visible and ultraviolet light. The results indicated that the storm’s center is cold, with thick clouds containing ammonia, water, and phosphine gas – potentially contributing to its characteristic red color.
Monitoring changes in the storm can help scientists gain a better understanding of the processes occurring in Jupiter’s atmosphere. (Source: NASA)
Nasa scientists monitor the Great Red Spot annually through the OPAL program, but this time, they conducted more detailed observations to study the storm’s changes over the months. Scientist Mike Wong from the University of California compared the Great Red Spot to an overstuffed sandwich, being squeezed by strong winds from Jupiter’s northern and southern latitudes.
These new discoveries not only enhance our understanding of weather patterns on Jupiter but also open up opportunities for studying exoplanets beyond our Solar System.
The Great Red Spot is gradually shrinking
Over the past decade, astronomers have observed that the Great Red Spot is slowly diminishing. Predictions suggest that the storm will continue to shrink until it reaches a more stable shape with less fluctuation. Scientist Amy Simon explained: “Currently, the storm occupies its full latitude band, but as it shrinks, the winds will help stabilize its position.”
Despite its shrinking size, scientists note that the storm’s movement speed has not changed much. Through extended observations, they found that the storm not only shrinks but also changes shape, which could affect how it interacts with other weather systems on Jupiter.
Leigh Fletcher, another scientist, emphasized: “This change in shape could influence how the storm’s edges collide with other weather systems.” He also stated that long-term monitoring of atmospheric systems allows for the exploration of more intricate patterns and structures in chaotic weather.
