Researchers have noticed that the largest storm in the solar system is gradually shrinking in size.
Jupiter, the largest storm in the solar system and known as the Great Red Spot, appears to be decreasing in size. The reasons for the decrease in the storm are still unknown, IFLScience said.
The Great Red Spot is a giant rotating storm in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere, large enough to fit three Earths in a row. In this region of strong storm clouds, the wind rotates counterclockwise at speeds exceeding 643 km/h.
Focus.Technology has its own technology. telegram channel. Subscribe to avoid missing the latest and most exciting news from the world of science!
Until now, scientists could not explain the origin of the giant storm, but people began to observe it from the 17th century. So far we can say with certainty that this point has shrunk over the last decade. With the observed shrinkage of the Great Red Spot, it is becoming increasingly rounder and less oval.
In the 19th century, astronomers calculated that the Great Red Spot was approximately 41,000 kilometers wide. NASA’s Voyager spacecraft passed Jupiter in 1979 and 1980, capturing it at a size of approximately 23,335 kilometers. In 2014, Hubble showed that the spot was just under 16,500 kilometers in diameter.
Recent observations by astrophotographer Damian Peach have shown that the Great Red Spot is currently only 12,500 kilometers across.
From a scientific perspective, the Great Red Spot is a mysterious thing. Researchers don’t even fully understand the chemical mixture that gives the stain its memorable red-orange color.
Even with modern telescopes, we can’t peer beneath a storm’s giant clouds and truly understand the dynamics that shape the spot’s shape, color, and size.
However, scientists believe that despite the decrease in its size, the Great Red Spot on Jupiter will not disappear.
The fact is that a recent study showed that the outer winds of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot will become even more intense.
Recall that the Juno spacecraft measured the depth of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Using data from the Juno mission, researchers also discovered that Jupiter’s storms pass well below the clouds, providing a good look at the clouds’ internal structure.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.