jupiter has largest planetary atmosphere in solar system, spanning on 5,000 km (3,000 mi) in altitude. because jupiter has no surface, base of atmosphere considered point @ atmospheric pressure equal 100 kpa (1.0 bar).
cloud layers
the movement of jupiter s counter-rotating cloud bands. looping animation maps planet s exterior onto cylindrical projection.
jupiter perpetually covered clouds composed of ammonia crystals , possibly ammonium hydrosulfide. clouds located in tropopause , arranged bands of different latitudes, known tropical regions. these sub-divided lighter-hued zones , darker belts. interactions of these conflicting circulation patterns cause storms , turbulence. wind speeds of 100 m/s (360 km/h) common in zonal jets. zones have been observed vary in width, color , intensity year year, have remained sufficiently stable scientists give them identifying designations.
the cloud layer 50 km (31 mi) deep, , consists of @ least 2 decks of clouds: thick lower deck , thin clearer region. there may thin layer of water clouds underlying ammonia layer. supporting idea of water clouds flashes of lightning detected in atmosphere of jupiter. these electrical discharges can thousand times powerful lightning on earth. water clouds assumed generate thunderstorms in same way terrestrial thunderstorms, driven heat rising interior.
the orange , brown coloration in clouds of jupiter caused upwelling compounds change color when exposed ultraviolet light sun. exact makeup remains uncertain, substances thought phosphorus, sulfur or possibly hydrocarbons. these colorful compounds, known chromophores, mix warmer, lower deck of clouds. zones formed when rising convection cells form crystallizing ammonia masks out these lower clouds view.
jupiter s low axial tilt means poles receive less solar radiation @ planet s equatorial region. convection within interior of planet transports more energy poles, balancing out temperatures @ cloud layer.
great red spot , other vortices
time-lapse sequence approach of voyager 1, showing motion of atmospheric bands , circulation of great red spot. recorded on 32 days 1 photograph taken every 10 hours (once per jovian day). see full size video.
the best known feature of jupiter great red spot, persistent anticyclonic storm larger earth, located 22° south of equator. known have been in existence since @ least 1831, , possibly since 1665. images hubble space telescope have shown many 2 red spots adjacent great red spot. storm large enough visible through earth-based telescopes aperture of 12 cm or larger. oval object rotates counterclockwise, period of 6 days. maximum altitude of storm 8 km (5 mi) above surrounding cloudtops.
great red spot decreasing in size (may 15, 2014).
the great red spot large enough accommodate earth within boundaries. mathematical models suggest storm stable , may permanent feature of planet. however, has decreased in size since discovery. initial observations in late 1800s showed approximately 41,000 km (25,500 mi) across. time of voyager flybys in 1979, storm had length of 23,300 km (14,500 mi) , width of approximately 13,000 km (8,000 mi). hubble observations in 1995 showed had decreased in size again 20,950 km (13,020 mi), , observations in 2009 showed size 17,910 km (11,130 mi). of 2015, storm measured @ approximately 16,500 10,940 km (10,250 6,800 mi), , decreasing in length 930 km (580 mi) per year.
storms such common within turbulent atmospheres of giant planets. jupiter has white ovals , brown ovals, lesser unnamed storms. white ovals tend consist of relatively cool clouds within upper atmosphere. brown ovals warmer , located within normal cloud layer . such storms can last little few hours or stretch on centuries.
even before voyager proved feature storm, there strong evidence spot not associated deeper feature on planet s surface, spot rotates differentially respect rest of atmosphere, faster , more slowly.
in 2000, atmospheric feature formed in southern hemisphere similar in appearance great red spot, smaller. created when several smaller, white oval-shaped storms merged form single feature—these 3 smaller white ovals first observed in 1938. merged feature named oval ba, , has been nicknamed red spot junior. has since increased in intensity , changed color white red.
in april 2017, scientists reported discovery of great cold spot in jupiter s thermosphere @ north pole 24,000 km (15,000 mi) across, 12,000 km (7,500 mi) wide, , 200 °c (360 °f) cooler surrounding material. feature discovered researchers @ large telescope in chile, searched archived data nasa infrared telescope facility between 1995 , 2000. found that, while spot changes size, shape , intensity on short term, has maintained general position in atmosphere across more 15 years of available data. scientists believe spot giant vortex similar great red spot , appears quasi-stable vortices in earth s thermosphere. interactions between charged particles generated io , planet s strong magnetic field resulted in redistribution of heat flow, forming spot.
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