Jupiter’s Oval BA storm (the Red Spot Jr.) is getting stronger and redder.
The Great Red Spot has always fascinated me. It’s amazing to think of a storm three times the size of Earth. It’ll be interesting to see what its little brother–which is “only” the size of our planet–is up to in the coming years.
“We found that Jupiter tends to do interesting things behind the sun and we can’t see it,” Simon-Miller said.
Coincidence? You be the judge…
But seriously…Yeah, I too have found Jupiter’s paterns fascinating since I was a kid. I once got to see it (and the four Galilean moons) through a telescope–not at great enough resolution to see the Red Spot, but I could see the bands. I really found it quite thrilling.
…oh, and let’s not forget Saturn!:
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA08329
What amazes me is that it’s been there for over 300 years (since the first telescope could actually make it out) and we still don’t know what causes it to be red. I find all aspects of Astronomy and Cosmology (NOT Cosmetology!) fascinating.
That article said the red color is most likely from sulfur in the lower atmosphere. It is all fascinating!