Mystery of Jupiter's Red Dot: Uncovering the Cause

In summary, the red dot on Jupiter, known as the Great Red Spot, has been observed for over 300 years and is estimated to be the size of 3 Earths. It is a high-pressure region with significantly higher and colder cloud tops than its surroundings. It is similar to structures seen on other planets like Saturn and Neptune, but it is not known how it can persist for such a long time. Unlike hurricanes on Earth, it does not dissipate due to the absence of land on Jupiter.
  • #1
cbsgorams
2
0
why does the red dot on Jupiter i think its like a storm or something or a hurricane but does anybody know why it does not stop? and the cause of it ?

thak u


craig
 
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  • #2
it will stop- but a storm the size of 3 Earth's might take a few centuries to dissapate-
 
  • #3
Welcome to Physics Forums, cbsgorams!

http://www.seds.org/billa/tnp/jupiter.html
The Great Red Spot (GRS) has been seen by Earthly observers for more than 300 years (its discovery is usually attributed to Cassini, or Robert Hooke in the 17th century). The GRS is an oval about 12,000 by 25,000 km, big enough to hold two Earths. Other smaller but similar spots have been known for decades. Infrared observations and the direction of its rotation indicate that the GRS is a high-pressure region whose cloud tops are significantly higher and colder than the surrounding regions. Similar structures have been seen on Saturn and Neptune. It is not known how such structures can persist for so long.

Note that, on Earth, hurricanes are dissipated when they hit land (something Jupiter doesn't have).
 
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1. What is the red dot on Jupiter?

The red dot on Jupiter is a large storm, similar to a hurricane, located on the surface of the planet. It is known as the Great Red Spot and is about twice the size of Earth.

2. How long has the red dot been on Jupiter?

The Great Red Spot has been observed on Jupiter for over 350 years, since its discovery in the 17th century. However, it is believed to have been present for much longer, possibly even centuries before its discovery.

3. What causes the red color of the dot?

The red color of the Great Red Spot is believed to be caused by the upwelling of deeper colors, such as red, from within Jupiter's atmosphere. This is similar to how a bruise changes color as it heals.

4. Is the red dot on Jupiter getting bigger or smaller?

Over the past few decades, the Great Red Spot has been shrinking in size. However, it is still much larger than any storm on Earth and it is unclear how much longer it will continue to shrink.

5. Could the red dot on Jupiter ever disappear?

It is possible that the Great Red Spot could eventually dissipate and disappear, but it is unlikely to happen in the near future. Scientists are still studying the storm and its behavior to better understand its potential longevity.

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