Jupiter is a really interesting planet. It features moons that could harbor life and even strange volcanic lakes that are still an enigma to all of us. Due to these unique characteristics, it is not surprising that scientific research on its nature is recurrent. Among them, a storm that has been swirling around the planet for centuries is powerfully striking, or so we thought until now.
In an in-depth article prepared by Universe Today, it has been possible to discover with a fair degree of certainty the way in which the oldest solar storm on record on our planet works.
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot (GRS) is a gigantic storm that astronomers have been observing since the 17th century. However, its formation and duration have been the subject of debate, as it was not known for sure if we have been seeing the same phenomenon all this time.
The GRS is a huge anticyclonic vortex, that is, it rotates counterclockwise, and is larger than the Earth, with winds exceeding 400 km/h.
The earliest observations of GRS date back to 1632, but then it was lost to sight for 118 years until it was observed again in the 19th century. Recent research suggests that the GRS we are currently observing may have formed in the 19th century and has evolved to its current state.
Using complex computer simulations, they have concluded that GRS originated from an atmospheric cell that had been uncontrollably elongated and stretched generated by a tropical disturbance in Jupiter’s winds.
Based on this research, we can conclude that the Great Red Spot is at least 190 years old and is a fascinating phenomenon that continues to intrigue scientists. Despite its long history of observations, involving scientists more than four centuries old, there are still quite a few unknowns about its formation and evolution, and researchers continue to study it to better understand this impressive vortex in the gas giant.
We still have a lot to know about these events and many others in our solar system. We are surrounded by truly original planets, some of which even have diamond showers, something that is truly ironic when you consider that it is one of the rarest and most coveted materials in our environment.