What is the Drift Rate of Jupiter's Great Red Spot?

[nmsurobert]

Can someone explain to me what "drift" is when talking about the rate at which the grs drifts around Jupiter?

I have read several articles that talk about how the "drift rate" is changing. Is this the speed the spot is moving in the belt or zone it lays in? That is a different speed than the belt or the zone, right?

Thanks.

 

[jedishrfu]

This article may answer your question on drift as well as other questions on the Great Red Spot.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/jupiters-great-red-spot-getting-taller-as-it-shrinks

http://www.astronomy.com/news/2018/...-is-shrinking-in-length-but-growing-in-height

Apparently, its been getting smaller, taller and drifting westward.

and a calculator for the drift at 2 degrees per month:

https://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/interactive-sky-watching-tools/transit-times-of-jupiters-great-red-spot/