The Hubble Space Telescope keeps an eye on the slowly changing weather of the solar system's giant planets.
is at its smallest since regular observation began 150 years ago. The Great Red Spot is a giant storm currently about twice as wide as Earth that swirls in the planet's southern hemisphere with wind speeds around its perimeter reaching a whopping 270 to 425 mph . But while this trademark storm may be weakening, the Hubble observations show that a new giant storm may be forming north of Jupiter's equator.
Astronomers call the new stormy region a"vortex street," as it consists of a row of interlocking cyclones that spin in alternating directions. If those storms were to merge, they could create a megastorm even greater than the Great Red Spot. Scientists, however, think that this merger is quite unlikely, the Space Telescope Science Institute, which manages Hubble's science operations, said in the statement.
Hubble has been observing Jupiter since the telescope reached Earth orbit in the early 1990s, and it wasn't until the last decade that scientists detected the formation of the cyclones making up the"vortex street."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What's That Big White Splotch on Uranus?Before-and-after shots from the Hubble Space Telescope show changing weather on Jupiter and Uranus.
Read more »
Hubble telescope unravels the weather secrets of Jupiter and UranusLatest findings from the Hubble Space Telescope reveals fascinating insights into the changing weather patterns and seasonal shifts on Jupiter and Uranus.
Read more »
See the Hubble Telescope’s Jaw-Dropping New Portraits Of Jupiter And UranusExplore stunning new 360° mosaics shared Thursday of Jupiter and Uranus as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Read more »
See the Hubble Telescope’s Jaw-Dropping New Portraits Of Jupiter And UranusExplore stunning new 360° mosaics shared Thursday of Jupiter and Uranus as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Read more »
How to watch the 5-planet alignment: Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and MarsA five-planet alignment of Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus and Mars will be visible in the night sky next week.
Read more »
Notable DFW Establishments to Go Red Wednesday in Honor of the American Red CrossCities across DFW will go red Wednesday evening in recognition of the American Red Cross and Red Cross Giving Day.
Read more »