New Jupiter Phenomenon: Have You Heard?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a newly observed phenomenon on Jupiter, specifically a "Great Dark Spot" and its relation to the well-known "Great Red Spot." Participants explore various hypotheses regarding the nature of these spots, potential causes, and implications for understanding Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the Great Dark Spot and the Great Red Spot are the same phenomenon or if they are fundamentally different, with one suggesting it could be an illusion caused by auroras.
  • One participant cites an article stating that the Great Dark Spot is a shallow phenomenon in Jupiter's high stratosphere, while the Great Red Spot is a deep, high-pressure storm system in the troposphere.
  • There is speculation about another large cloud formation observed over the pole, with one participant suggesting it might be an effect of the ultraviolet camera on the Cassini probe.
  • Another participant introduces Velikovsky's controversial theories, proposing that the Great Red Spot could be linked to the ejection of Venus from a superplanet, suggesting a catastrophic model of planetary formation.
  • Some participants propose that the observed phenomena could be related to auroras, with one suggesting that the magnetic field's interaction with the atmosphere might be responsible for the visibility of these spots.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the nature and implications of the Great Dark Spot and its relationship to the Great Red Spot. There is no consensus on the causes or significance of these phenomena, and multiple competing theories are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on specific interpretations of observational data, and there are unresolved questions about the effects of different observational instruments and the implications of various theoretical models.

Mentat
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Has anyone else heard about this?

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/12mar_darkspot.htm?list827141
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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That's pretty cool. So is the Big Red Spot (or whatever) and the Dark Spot the samething or what? Also, could it be an illusion? The article mentioned an aurora effect could have caused the phenomenon, like the Earth's northern lights.
 
Cue 2001 A Space Odyssee moment...

No. from article:
"The Great Dark Spot and the Great Red Spot are entirely different," he says. The Great Red Spot is deep. "It's a high-pressure storm system rooted in Jupiter's troposphere far below the cloudtops. The Great Dark Spot is apparently shallow and confined to Jupiter's high stratosphere."

Now, the GDS is considered to be an effect of the solar wind, similar to the aurora on earth. On jupiter, it causes reactions producing hydrocarbons that float in the atmosphere. Hence, it is visible in UV as hydrocarbons absorb UV light...
 
I couldn't help noticing another cloud formation of even greater size that appears to be centered directly over the poll itself. During the animation, it changes color slightly but it's outline remains easily discernible. Since it is not mentioned in the article, I assume that it is nothing of great significance. Possibly an effect caused by the ultraviolet camera on the Cassini probe. Does anyone know?
 
Maybe it was a part of the aurora (or the aurora itself?)?
 
Originally posted by Mentat
Has anyone else heard about this?

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/12mar_darkspot.htm?list827141

I know Velichovsky's theory's are not so accepted amongst people who think they know everything already... but... Velichovsky did mention, in passing, that the red spot on Jupiter could well be where Venus was ejected (or extracted) from the superplanet.

This fits his catastrophic model of the birth of certain planets in this solar system. He is an anti-uniformist with regard to the topic.

The dark spot is cool too. It could be a side effect to giving birth to a planet... which may have happened as recently as 3600 years ago according to records sited by Velichovsky.

Carl Sagan would be a bit upset about me mentioning this.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by MajinVegeta
Maybe it was a part of the aurora (or the aurora itself?)?

Yea, that's probably it. The point where the magnetic field turns perpendicular to the atmosphere (or maybe the camera) as seen in UV.
 

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