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> Jupiter's Red Spot Jr

Jupiter's Red Spot Jr

author: Nasa/ESA/Novapix

reference: a-jup02-00021

Image Size 300 DPI: 8 * 10 cm

April 16 2006: Hubble Space Telescope is giving astronomers their most detailed view yet of a second red spot emerging on Jupiter. For the first time in history, astronomers have witnessed the birth of a new red spot on the giant planet, which is located half a billion miles away. The storm is roughly one-half the diameter of its bigger and legendary cousin, the Great Red Spot. Researchers suggest that the new spot may be related to a possible major climate change in Jupiter's atmosphere. Dubbed by some astronomers as "Red Spot Jr.," the new spot has been followed by amateur and professional astronomers for the past few months. Before it mysteriously changed to the same color as the Great Red Spot, the smaller spot was known as the White Oval BA. It formed after three white oval-shaped storms merged during 1998 to 2000. At least one or two of the progenitor white ovals can be traced back to 90 years ago, but they may have been present earlier. A third spot appeared in 1939. (The Great Red Spot has been visible for the past 400 years, ever since earthbound observers had telescopes to see it).

Keywords for this photo:

2006 - ACS - ACT010210 - ASTRONOMY - CLOUD - GREAT RED SPOT - HST - HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - JUPITER - PLANET - RED SPOT - STORM - WIDE FIELD PLANETARY CAMERA -