New photos of scientists, showing a giant anticyclone. It is larger than Earth
NASA’s recently released image of Jupiter, taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, shows the solar system’s largest planet in ultraviolet (UV) light. Thanks to it, it was possible to capture a gigantic anticyclone raging on this planet.
The unique perspective obtained thanks to the use of UV light allows the observation of phenomena invisible in the visible light range, providing valuable information about Jupiter’s atmosphere.
The Great Red Spot in a new light
Particularly noteworthy in the photo is the famous Great Red Spot – a giant anticyclone in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere. In the ultraviolet range, this area takes on a light blue tint, which contrasts with its characteristic red color visible in visible light.
This color change is due to differences in the way different wavelengths of light are absorbed and reflected by particles in the planet’s atmosphere.
Secrets of ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet light is a type of electromagnetic radiation with shorter wavelengths than visible light, invisible to the human eye. However, some animals, such as bees, can see them.
To enable us to observe Jupiter in this range, scientists create images in the so-called false colors by assigning appropriate colors from the visible light range to individual UV filters. In the case of the photo in question, the following attributions were used:
- Blue: F225W filter
- Green: F275W filter
- Red: F343N filter
Thanks to this, we can admire the details of Jupiter’s atmosphere in a way that is understandable to us.
The gigantic storm has been going on for centuries
The Great Red Spot is the largest known storm in the solar system. Its diameter is approximately 16,000 km, which means it is larger than the diameter of the Earth.
It rotates counterclockwise, completing a full revolution in about six days. This storm has been observed since at least 1831, and its origins may date back to the 17th century, when Giovanni Cassini in 1665 described a “permanent spot” on Jupiter.
A shrinking stain. What does this mean?
Since observations began, the Great Red Spot has been steadily shrinking. In the 19th century, its diameter was about 40,000 km, which means it could accommodate three Earths side by side. Its current size is approximately 16,000 km, which indicates significant reduction over the last 150 years.
Scientists are not sure whether the blob will continue to shrink or reach a stable size.
Unknown source of red
Despite many years of research, the exact cause of the characteristic red color of the stain remains a mystery. One hypothesis suggests that this may be the result of the presence of phosphine, which decomposes under the influence of solar radiation, creating red phosphorus.
Other theories point to chemical reactions in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere, but there is no clear evidence to support any of them.
Jupiter is in opposition
The publication of the ultraviolet photo of Jupiter coincided with the so-called opposition of the planet. Opposition occurs when Jupiter, Earth and the Sun are in alignment, with Earth in the middle. At this time, Jupiter is closest to our planet, which allows for better observation. This type of arrangement happens about every 13 months, allowing astronomers to study the gas giant in greater detail.
Parade of planets in the sky
During the opposition period of Jupiter, the so-called “parade of planets”. In addition to Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune were also visible. Four of them – Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mars – are visible to the naked eye, while a telescope is required to observe Uranus and Neptune due to their greater distance from Earth.
