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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."

5 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. Clearly... by russotto · · Score: 4, Funny

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