{"id":74,"date":"2026-10-16T15:04:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T15:04:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/2026\/10\/16\/the-secrets-of-jupiters-great-red-spot\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T19:35:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T19:35:44","slug":"the-secrets-of-jupiters-great-red-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/2026\/10\/16\/the-secrets-of-jupiters-great-red-spot\/","title":{"rendered":"The secrets of Jupiters Great Red Spot"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"74\" class=\"elementor elementor-74\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4eaf2654 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4eaf2654\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a487240 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6a487240\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"WTfRgd\" data-viewer-group=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-processed=\"true\" data-complete=\"true\" data-sfc-inited=\"2\"><div class=\"MimRQe\" role=\"none\" data-sn-container=\"\" data-viewer-group=\"\" data-ignore-copy=\"\" data-animation-nesting=\"\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-wiz-uids=\"aV81Uc_u,aV81Uc_v,aV81Uc_w,aV81Uc_x,aV81Uc_y,aV81Uc_z\" data-hveid=\"CAAIDRAA\" data-sae=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-sfc-inited=\"2\"><div class=\"N8RrG rAdPSe\" role=\"list\" data-thcrc-cc=\"\" data-is-scrollable=\"true\"><div class=\"Knsxdf PmZFeb\" role=\"listitem\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-complete=\"true\"><div class=\"uNDRH l1vhmd\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjlqaXyyq2XAxWsGhAIHbRTBdwQoLIPegYIAAgNEAE\" data-hveid=\"CAAIDRAB\" data-complete=\"true\" data-sfc-inited=\"2\"><div class=\"v6ev6\" data-is-server-presized-tile=\"undefined\" data-carousel-align-target=\"\"><div class=\"WvMdHd r5Zck Hp6FM\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-subtree=\"aimfl\" data-complete=\"true\"><div class=\"Wz64kf\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sFlh5c FyHeAf uT7N3d alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.newsweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2412257-jupiter-red-spot.jpg\" alt=\"Secrets of Jupiter's Great Red Spot Revealed - Newsweek\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" \/><\/div><p><strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\">Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot is a colossal, high-pressure anticyclonic vortex wide enough to swallow Earth, powered by internal planetary heat and sustained by consuming smaller storms. While humanity has tracked this iconic crimson tempest for centuries, <\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"yhAwj\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sfc-inited=\"2\">\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"otQkpb\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\" data-animation-nesting=\"\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-wiz-attrbind=\"aria-level=aV81Uc_2d\/fLk2Md\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sae=\"\">The Anatomy and Scale of the Beast<\/div><ul class=\"KsbFXc U6u95\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjlqaXyyq2XAxWsGhAIHbRTBdwQ-7AUegYIAAgZEAA\" data-hveid=\"CAAIGRAA\" data-processed=\"true\" data-complete=\"true\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"KsbFXc U6u95\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjlqaXyyq2XAxWsGhAIHbRTBdwQ-7AUegYIAAgZEAA\" data-hveid=\"CAAIGRAA\" data-processed=\"true\" data-complete=\"true\"><li class=\"Z1qcYe\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-hveid=\"CAAIGRAC\" data-complete=\"true\" data-sae=\"\"><span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\"><strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">Staggering Depth:<\/strong> Microwave radiometer data from Juno reveal that the Great Red Spot roots down more than <strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">200 miles (350+ kilometers)<\/strong> into Jupiter\u2019s atmosphere, making it vastly deeper than any terrestrial ocean or storm.<\/span> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2cYJHa8W9Og&amp;vl=en&amp;t=194\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7vJsBAOPV5o\">2<\/a>]<\/li><li class=\"Z1qcYe\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-hveid=\"CAAIGRAI\" data-sae=\"\" data-complete=\"true\"><span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\"><strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">Shrinking Yet Growing Taller:<\/strong> While the storm has steadily contracted horizontally over the past century\u2014shrinking from over three Earths wide down to roughly a single Earth diameter\u2014it is simultaneously growing taller, acting like clay squeezed on a potter\u2019s wheel.<\/span> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/39590-jupiter-great-red-spot-color-still-a-mystery.html\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7vJsBAOPV5o\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2cYJHa8W9Og&amp;vl=en&amp;t=194\">3<\/a>]<\/li><li class=\"Z1qcYe\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-hveid=\"CAAIGRAN\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sae=\"\"><span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\"><strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">Surprising Speed Changes:<\/strong> Hubble measurements show that while the core rotation remains steady, the winds in the storm\u2019s outer lanes have actually accelerated by up to <strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">8%<\/strong> over recent years.<\/span> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NbI-Egmg6WQ\">1<\/a>]<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><div class=\"yhAwj\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sfc-inited=\"2\">\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"otQkpb\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\" data-animation-nesting=\"\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-wiz-attrbind=\"aria-level=aV81Uc_3j\/fLk2Md\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sae=\"\">Unresolved Mysteries of the Red Spot<\/div><ul class=\"KsbFXc U6u95\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjlqaXyyq2XAxWsGhAIHbRTBdwQ-7AUegYIAAgmEAA\" data-hveid=\"CAAIJhAA\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"KsbFXc U6u95\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjlqaXyyq2XAxWsGhAIHbRTBdwQ-7AUegYIAAgmEAA\" data-hveid=\"CAAIJhAA\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\"><li class=\"Z1qcYe\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-hveid=\"CAAIJhAC\" data-complete=\"true\" data-sae=\"\"><span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\"><strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">The Color Puzzle:<\/strong> Scientists still debate the exact chemical mechanism behind its crimson hue. The leading theory suggests colorless ammonium hydrosulfide particles rise from deeper layers and undergo chemical reactions when bombarded by solar UV radiation or cosmic rays.<\/span> [<a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/six-mysteries-of-jupiters-great-red-spot-80829\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7vJsBAOPV5o\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/39590-jupiter-great-red-spot-color-still-a-mystery.html\">3<\/a>]<\/li><li class=\"Z1qcYe\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-hveid=\"CAAIJhAH\" data-complete=\"true\" data-sae=\"\"><span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\"><strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">Atmospheric Superheating:<\/strong> Although the upper cloud tops of the storm are bitterly cold (around minus 256\u00b0F), the atmosphere <em class=\"zhvwWe\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">above<\/em> the Great Red Spot reaches scorching temperatures near <strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">2,400\u00b0F<\/strong>\u2014hotter than Earth\u2019s lava. Astronomers believe acoustic and gravitational waves surging upward from the storm\u2019s violent turbulence superheat the upper layer.<\/span> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/8052-secrets-jupiter-great-red-spot-revealed-weather-map.html\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7vJsBAOPV5o\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2cYJHa8W9Og&amp;vl=en&amp;t=194\">3<\/a>]<\/li><li class=\"Z1qcYe\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-hveid=\"CAAIJhAM\" data-complete=\"true\" data-sae=\"\"><span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\"><strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\">Age and Permanence:<\/strong> Recent computer simulations suggest the current storm may be a younger vortex that formed within the last 150\u2013190 years, replacing an earlier \u201cPermanent Spot\u201d observed by Giovanni Cassini in the 17th century that likely faded and vanished.<\/span> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.syfy.com\/syfy-wire\/unraveling-the-mystery-of-jupiters-great-red-spot\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aqh9ouK66FY\">2<\/a>]<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><div class=\"yhAwj\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sfc-inited=\"2\">\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"AHmQrc\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-hveid=\"CAAILBAA\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\"><div class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-hveid=\"CAAILBAB\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\">Would you like to learn more about <strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\">how Jupiter\u2019s jet streams lock the storm in place<\/strong>, or explore the inner workings of <span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-epip=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\">Juno\u2019s microwave radiometer<\/span>? [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aqh9ouK66FY\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2cYJHa8W9Og&amp;vl=en&amp;t=194\">2<\/a>]<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-planetary_science","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213,"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74\/revisions\/213"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stargazing.fans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}