The Hubble Space Telescope recently provided a stunning look at the stormy weather patterns of Jupiter, capturing images of cyclones, anticyclones, wind shear, and the iconic Great Red Spot on January 5-6, 2024.
Jupiter’s atmosphere is a tumultuous mix of high-speed winds and opposing rotation patterns of high and low-pressure systems, creating the planet’s colorful clouds and banded appearance. The Hubble images also revealed the presence of Red Spot Jr., a smaller storm system on the gas giant.
In addition to Jupiter’s stormy weather, the Hubble Space Telescope also captured images of Io, one of Jupiter’s moons and the most volcanically active body in the solar system. The images showed volcanic outflow deposits on Io’s surface, highlighting the moon’s dynamic geology.
Using these images, scientists were able to create a visualization of Jupiter’s rotation, showcasing the planet’s vibrant atmosphere and ever-changing weather patterns. The Hubble Space Telescope, a collaboration between NASA and ESA, has been instrumental in making groundbreaking discoveries for over three decades.
The recent images of Jupiter’s stormy weather and Io’s volcanic activity serve as a reminder of the beauty and complexity of our solar system, as seen through the lens of the Hubble Space Telescope.
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