NASA has recently released some gorgeous images of Jupiter's Great Red Spot, a storm that has been raging on the planet for over 350 years. These new images taken by the Juno spacecraft show the storm in incredible detail, revealing its intricate structure and ever changing shape.
The Great Red Spot is a giant storm that is wider than the diameter of Earth and has been raging on Jupiter for centuries. It was first observed in the 17th century by astronomer Giovanni Cassini and has been studied ever since. The storm is believed to be one of the largest and longest lasting storm systems in the solar system.
Juno spacecraft was launched by NASA in 2011 with the aim of exploring Jupiter and its surroundings. After a five-year journey, the spacecraft entered Jupiter's orbit in July 2016 and has since been collecting data and images of the planet. Juno carries a range of scientific instruments designed to study Jupiter's atmosphere, magnetic field, and gravity field.
The images released by NASA show the Great Red Spot in stunning detail, with features that were not visible in previous images. The images were captured by Juno's onboard camera during a close flyby of Jupiter in July 2017. The spacecraft was only 5,600 miles above the planet's clouds when the images were taken, allowing for a close-up look at the storm.
The images show the Great Red Spot to be a complex storm with many swirling patterns and smaller storms within it. Scientists have long been puzzled by the storm's longevity and are still working to understand how it has been able to persist for so long.
The images of the Great Red Spot reveal new details about the storm and its surroundings. Scientists can use the images to study the storm's structure and behavior, and to better understand Jupiter's atmosphere. They can also use the images to track changes in the storm over time.
One of the most interesting findings from the images is the presence of lightning in Jupiter's atmosphere. The images show lightning flashes in the vicinity of the Great Red Spot, which was previously thought to be a non-electrical storm. The discovery of lightning in Jupiter's atmosphere is an important step in understanding the planet's weather patterns and atmospheric processes.
The new images of Jupiter's Great Red Spot are a stunning example of the scientific discoveries made possible by space exploration. By sending spacecraft to explore other planets and objects in our solar system, we can learn more about the universe we live in and our place within it. The images of the Great Red Spot are just one example of the incredible discoveries that await us as we continue to explore our solar system and beyond.
