Approaching Jupiter . ... Credit Copyright: Voyager 1 Spacecraft Team , JPL , NASA Explanation: In 1979 the Voyager 1 spacecraft compiled this view as it approached the gas giant Jupiter . Snapping a picture every time the Great Red Spot was properly aligned, the above time-lapse sequence shows not only spot rotation but also the swirling of neighboring clouds . Since Jupiter takes about 10 hours to rotate, this short sequence actually covers several days. ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...