I've read that the spot on jupiter is a storm that has lasted over 300 years.
However, the article did not explain why it has been going on for so long.
Would anyone know
2006-11-10 08:00:40 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I dont think even the experts know!
2006-11-10 08:03:24 · answer #1 · answered by huggz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What caused and what is fueling the monster storm of Jupiter is a giant mystery. To add to the dilema, a smaller spot has also appeared recently that has become the same deep shade of red. Scientists believe that it is caused by votices that are caused by the winds going around the planet in differant directions and where the streams meet there is the vortices that get created. Most stay for a bit and the disappear. Why this one has remained for so long and got so big no one knows.
2006-11-10 08:19:45 · answer #2 · answered by rdbn7734 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason the Red Spot has been around for so long is that Jupiter cross winds (jet streams) are much faster and more stable than the ones here on Earth. If you take the Northern Hemisphere jet stream that goes from Alaska into the California/Nevada region, you'll see that it continually shifts northward and southward. Jupiters jet stream though tend to stay parallel to its equator and what helps Jupiters wind stay so fast and violent is its rotation. Its rotation is 10 hours. Much faster than our 24 hrs. Jupiters diameter is 11.209 Earths. Since Jupiter is much larger than Earth and since its rotational period is more than twice or Earth, the velocity of the winds at the pseudomantle(atmospheric outer part) of Jupiter would be many times faster than that of Earth. Jupiters rotational velocity at equator is 12.6 km/s (12600 m/s) to Earth's 465.11 m/s. That's a factor of more than 27! Take a look at the animations in the link below to see what I'm talking about.
2006-11-10 08:24:00 · answer #3 · answered by bourqueno77 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hi. The 300 years is a MINIMUM remember. It may have been there long before the telescope was invented.
2006-11-10 09:16:08 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody knows why it has gone on so long. It is one of the things scientists are still trying to figure out.
2006-11-10 08:40:49 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably has something to do with the high concentrations of sulphuric acid in the atmosphere.
2006-11-10 08:18:11 · answer #6 · answered by Prince of Persia 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probes have been inconclusive, but they feel that high winds are keeping it going, but it is mere speculation
2006-11-10 08:51:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Astronomers don't know why. They have recently discovered though that it is getting bigger and faster.
2006-11-10 08:04:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's due to high sulfuric acid concentration.
2006-11-10 08:03:11 · answer #9 · answered by Trapped in a Box 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has been because God wants it to.
2006-11-10 09:06:57 · answer #10 · answered by Kaity 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋