Great Red Spot
Persistent storm in Jupiter's atmosphere
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Key Takeaways
- The Great Red Spot is a persistent, high-pressure region in the atmosphere of the planet Jupiter, producing the largest anticyclonic storm in the Solar System.
- Located 22 degrees south of Jupiter's equator, it produces wind-speeds up to 496 km/h (308 mph).
- A similar spot was observed from 1665 to 1713; if this is the same storm, it has existed for at least 361 years, but a study from 2024 suggests this is not the case.
- The storm that was seen in the 17th century may have been different from the storm that exists today.
- It is unknown whether the original spot dissipated and reformed, whether it faded away, or whether observers simply failed to study and record it.
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Source summary
WikipediaThe Great Red Spot is a persistent, high-pressure region in the atmosphere of the planet Jupiter, producing the largest anticyclonic storm in the Solar System. It is the most recognizable feature on Jupiter, owing to its red-orange color whose origin is still unknown. Located 22 degrees south of Jupiter's equator, it produces wind-speeds up to 496 km/h (308 mph). It was first observed in September 1831, with 60 recorded observations between then and 1878, when continuous observations began. A similar spot was observed from 1665 to 1713; if this is the same storm, it has existed for at least 361 years, but a study from 2024 suggests this is not the case.
The Great Red Spot may have existed before 1664, but it could be that the present spot was first seen only in 1830, and was well studied only after a prominent appearance in 1879. The storm that was seen in the 17th century may have been different from the storm that exists today. A long gap separates its period of current study after 1830 from the 17th century discovery. It is unknown whether the original spot dissipated and reformed, whether it faded away, or whether observers simply failed to study and record it.
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