Hubble gives spotty performance in viewing Jupiter
Jupiter- at 2.5 more massive than all the other planets combined- is not small.
It is, however, increasingly measly.
For about three hundred years- give or take a century- the King of the Planets has sported what amounts to a permanent Category 5 hurricane about three times the size of Earth in the tumultuous atmosphere of its southern equatorial region. The Great Red Spot, as it's called (being great, and red, and a spot) is probably the thing observers with telescopes try hardest to make out when viewing the biggest of our solar system's four massive gas giants.
About a decade ago, a series of smaller, white storms merged to form Red Spot Jr., or Oval BA as it's officially known. Now, the Hubble Space Telescope has spotted a third red spot,
Each is big enough to easily gobble Earth and leave room for desert.
Red Spot Jr., or "Little Red," had a near-collision with its big brother a few years ago, but escaped unscathed. The newest member of the family currently appears to be on a collision course with Big Red.
Astronomers believe that the outbreak of planetary measles is due to climate change. Insert your own Al Gore joke here.
It is, however, increasingly measly.
For about three hundred years- give or take a century- the King of the Planets has sported what amounts to a permanent Category 5 hurricane about three times the size of Earth in the tumultuous atmosphere of its southern equatorial region. The Great Red Spot, as it's called (being great, and red, and a spot) is probably the thing observers with telescopes try hardest to make out when viewing the biggest of our solar system's four massive gas giants.
About a decade ago, a series of smaller, white storms merged to form Red Spot Jr., or Oval BA as it's officially known. Now, the Hubble Space Telescope has spotted a third red spot,
Each is big enough to easily gobble Earth and leave room for desert.
Red Spot Jr., or "Little Red," had a near-collision with its big brother a few years ago, but escaped unscathed. The newest member of the family currently appears to be on a collision course with Big Red.
Astronomers believe that the outbreak of planetary measles is due to climate change. Insert your own Al Gore joke here.
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