Scientists have concluded that the Great Red Spot on Jupiter was created by the eruption of a massive storm.
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot has fascinated scientists for a long time, but its origins remained a mystery. A new report now provides significant insights into this phenomenon. Scientists believe the Great Red Spot is a storm on Jupiter that has been raging for over 300 years and is wider than Earth.
New Insights into the Great Red Spot
According to a report by Newsweek, the Great Red Spot (GRS) is a storm that appears as a distinctive red spot. Research published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters suggests that the GRS is not as old as previously thought. Giovanni Cassini was the first to observe a similar spot, which he named the Permanent Spot, hundreds of years ago. The GRS is located in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere.
There is speculation that Cassini might have observed a different, larger spot on Jupiter, which he called the Permanent Spot. Research has been ongoing since the 1600s to determine the existence and formation of this spot.
Study Findings on the Great Red Spot
Agustin Sanchez-Lavega, co-author of the study at the University of the Basque Country, stated that by observing the size and activity of the GRS, they concluded it is highly unlikely that the current Great Red Spot is the same as the Permanent Spot seen by Cassini. It is believed that the Permanent Spot disappeared between 1800 and 1900, suggesting that the Great Red Spot must have formed about 200 years ago. Vertically, it spans 500 kilometers.
Formation of the Great Red Spot
Scientists have determined that the Great Red Spot was formed by the rise of a large storm, similar to storms observed on Saturn. The research indicates that under certain wind conditions, a storm cell must have formed, trapping the winds and giving birth to the Proto Great Red Spot. Astronomers continue to study this red spot for more details.
Ongoing Research and Future Discoveries
NASA’s Juno mission is actively gathering information about Jupiter, aiming to provide accurate data about the Great Red Spot. It is expected that scientists will soon have more precise information about this enigmatic feature on Jupiter.