What Causes the Vibrant Cloud Colors on Jupiter?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrjeffy321
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
Jupiter's vibrant cloud colors are influenced by a combination of factors, including strong storms and fast winds that mix its atmosphere. Despite millions of years of atmospheric mixing, the colors remain distinct due to the dynamic nature of the planet's weather systems. Heat flow from Jupiter's interior and solar radiation at the cloud tops contribute to the ongoing changes in the atmosphere. Additionally, the gravitational effects of its many moons create tidal forces that further complicate the atmospheric dynamics. As a result, Jupiter's atmosphere does not reach an equilibrium state, allowing for the persistence of its colorful cloud patterns.
mrjeffy321
Science Advisor
Messages
876
Reaction score
1
When you look at a picture of Jupiter,
[Like this one for instance: http://www.calpoly.edu/~rechols/astro101/astro101pics/Lab4pics/jupiter.jpg" ] one thing you notice is all the different colors of clouds it has.
We know that Jupiter also has some pretty strong storms with extremely fast winds too, blowing everything around and mixing up its atmosphere. Why after millions of years and all that wind mixing it up has it not all blended together?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
You're discussing a dynamic system subject to heat flow from the interior, solar radiation at the cloud tops, and a dozen (plus) lunar tides; therefore, don't expect an equilibrium state.
 
Publication: Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars Article: NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year Press conference The ~100 authors don't find a good way this could have formed without life, but also can't rule it out. Now that they have shared their findings with the larger community someone else might find an explanation - or maybe it was actually made by life.
TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
This thread is dedicated to the beauty and awesomeness of our Universe. If you feel like it, please share video clips and photos (or nice animations) of space and objects in space in this thread. Your posts, clips and photos may by all means include scientific information; that does not make it less beautiful to me (n.b. the posts must of course comply with the PF guidelines, i.e. regarding science, only mainstream science is allowed, fringe/pseudoscience is not allowed). n.b. I start this...
Back
Top