In a paper published today inGeophysical Research Letters , scientists lead by the University of Leicester in the UK have discover evidence for a Brobdingnagian dingy tempest on Jupiter that rivals the famous Great Red Spot in size .
It has been called the “ Great Cold Spot ” , and measures up to 24,000 kilometre ( 15,000 mi ) in longitude and 12,000 kilometers ( 7,500 statute mile ) in latitude , which is comparable to the Great Red Spot , even thoughit ’s shrinking .
The Great Cold Spot is found in the slender in high spirits - altitude thermosphere of the atmosphere , and is about 200 point Kelvin ( -73 ° C ) ice chest than the surrounding atmosphere , which is between 700 degrees Kelvin ( 426 ° deoxycytidine monophosphate ) and 1,000 degree Kelvin ( 726 ° C ) .
This novel topographic point is not seeable to the naked eye on the major planet , but was alternatively found using infrared images from NASA ’s InfraRed Telescope Facility at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii . The spot then appear as an area of darkness against the hot surroundings of the surrounding ambiance .
“ This is the first time any conditions feature in Jupiter ’s upper atmosphere has been keep aside from the major planet ’s bright dawn , ” said jumper cable author Tom Stallard from the University of Leicester in astatement .
A computerized view of the Great Cold Spot . IRTF / NASA
Interestingly , the spot has persisted in the same situation for the last 15 class , making it alike to other long - lasting storm on the gas colossus . Jupiter ’s aurora may play a part , being a more permanent feature article than the sunup we get on Earth .
However , the Great Cold Spot seems to be a lot more volatile than the Great Red Spot , which has persisted for 400 years . It dramatically changes shape over just a few days or calendar week , but go on to reappear .
“ That intimate that it continually reforms itself , and as a final result , it might be as old as the aurorae that mold it – perhaps many thousands of years older , ” said Stallard .
It ’s possible that there are other similar features in the upper atmosphere of Jupiter , too . And with NASA ’s Juno space vehicle presently in orbit around Jupiter , we should be able to receive out much more about this fascinating world than ever before .
Jupiter ’s sunup , seen here cancel against the magnetised north pole , is thought to play a part . IRTF / NASA
