Jupiter’s Dynamic Atmosphere Captured by Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope has been revealing new insights into Jupiter’s atmosphere, showcasing the planet’s complex and ever-changing weather patterns. From cyclones to anticyclones, wind shear, and violent storms, including the iconic Great Red Spot, Jupiter’s atmosphere is a turbulent world unlike any other.
Unlike Earth, Jupiter has no solid surface and is instead covered with ammonia ice-crystal clouds, giving it a distinctive banded appearance. The Hubble Space Telescope has been able to track dynamic changes in Jupiter’s atmosphere, capturing large storms and small white clouds in stunning detail.
Recent images from Hubble have shown the Great Red Spot in all its glory, as well as other storm activity across the planet. One remarkable aspect of Jupiter’s storms is that they rotate in opposite directions, indicating the presence of high- and low-pressure systems.
Not only does Hubble capture Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics, but it also images Jupiter’s innermost Galilean moon, Io, showcasing its volcanic activity. By mapping these images onto a sphere, Hubble is able to show a full rotation of Jupiter, providing a comprehensive view of the planet’s weather patterns.
The Hubble Space Telescope, operating for over three decades, continues to make groundbreaking discoveries about Jupiter and other outer planets. A project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), Hubble is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and conducted by the Space Telescope Science Institute.
With its ability to capture the beauty and complexity of Jupiter’s atmosphere, the Hubble Space Telescope remains an invaluable tool for scientists studying the mysteries of our solar system’s largest planet.
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