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Credit & Copyright: Travis Rector (U. Alaska),
Chad Trujillo
(Caltech et al.,
Gemini Obs.,
AURA,
NSF
Explanation:
Two storms systems larger than Earth are nearly colliding right now on planet
Jupiter.
No one was sure what would happen, but so far
both storms have survived.
In the
above false-color infrared image taken
last week by the
Gemini Observatory in
Hawaii, the red spots appear white because their cloud
tops tower above other clouds. Blue color represents lower clouds than white, while
clouds colored red are the deepest.
The smaller red spot, sometimes called
Red Spot Jr. or just Oval BA,
turned red earlier this year for reasons unknown.
If both Jovian
hurricanes
continue to survive, they will surely pass near each other again
in a few years since they revolve around Jupiter at different rates.
Astronomers will continue to monitor
Red Spot Jr. closely, however, to see if it will remain
red when it rotates away from the larger
Great Red Spot.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Jupiter
Publications with words: Jupiter
See also: