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Jupiter's Third Red Spot

Posted by kdawson on from the measels-maybe dept.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot, the solar system's largest (and longest-lived) storm, was joined by another in 2006, dubbed Red Spot Junior. Now a third red spot near the first two has been photographed by the Hubble space telescope. This is a storm about half the size of Earth. Here's a photo of the new storm (it's the one on the left). From New Scientist: "No one knows for sure what gives the three spots their red color. But one theory is that especially violent storms dredge up material from deeper in Jupiter's atmosphere, such as phosphorus-containing molecules, which undergo chemical reactions that turn them red when exposed to sunlight."

9 of 86 comments (clear)

  1. For shame.... by smaerd · · Score: 4, Funny

    Jupiter really has to start wearing protection when it goes all retrograde with Venus.

  2. It's that time... by Revenger75 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Jupiter is starting puberty. Now, just how long will it be before it starts to repel away from the sun?

  3. Re:Three eyed monster by mattgoldey · · Score: 3, Funny

    What would be really, really cool is if we ever send a probe that could figure out the core of these massive gas giants. Solid iron? Molten nickel? Some weird mix of whoknowswhat? It's malted milk.

  4. I blame global warming. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Look at how global warming is affecting even outer space. You SUV drivers should be ashamed.

  5. Re:Three eyed monster by kernowyon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Some weird mix of whoknowswhat?
    You mean it could be made out of Hormel Spam?
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    Awful UID - but I have been here ages...
  6. Clearly... by russotto · · Score: 4, Funny

    The increased storm activity on Jupiter is a result of Anthropogenic Global Warming. I blame George Bush.

    1. Re:Clearly... by stargazer_55 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Ok, let's apply a bit of Monty Python logic here: Both Earth and Jupiter are experiencing climate changes. Some believe that Earth's climate change is caused by CO2 emmissions, largely blamed on use of fossil fuels by human beings. Then, we must conclude that humans exist on Jupiter and is causing it's climate change. Therefore, we are not alone! Either that or Al Gore has moved his carbon footprint to Jupiter.

  7. Re:Laser Spectroscopy by Mr+Z · · Score: 2, Funny

    From on top of the shark, past the good guy, and right through the world domination device (accidentally), of course!

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    Program Intellivision!
  8. Re:I see what you did there by russotto · · Score: 2, Funny

    I meant just what I said. The fact that the leader of the Jovian faction most opposed to warming mitigation measures has a name which translates most closely to "George Bush" is pure coincidence, I'm sure.