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Jupiter's two storms come close


AbsoluteValue
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Two storms systems larger than Earth are nearly colliding right now on planet Jupiter. No one was sure what would happen, but so far both storms have survived. In the above false-color infrared image taken last week by the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii, the red spots appear white because their cloud tops tower above other clouds. Blue color represents lower clouds than white, while clouds colored red are the deepest. The smaller red spot, sometimes called Red Spot Jr. or just Oval BA, turned red earlier this year for reasons unknown. If both Jovian hurricanes continue to survive, they will surely pass near each other again in a few years since they revolve around Jupiter at different rates. Astronomers will continue to monitor Red Spot Jr. closely, however, to see if it will remain red when it rotates away from the larger Great Red Spot.

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anyone know how old that massive storm on jupiter is? its in every picture that ive ever seen of it im sure?

 

It is at least 400 years old apparently.

 

Love the way the smaller one is just called Red Spot Jr

Astronomers must have been a bit hung over on the day they found that one...

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Love the way the smaller one is just called Red Spot Jr

Astronomers must have been a bit hung over on the day they found that one...

 

This is coming from the same group of people who wanted to name a new planet Xena =)

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