Scientists find persistent cold spot on Jupiter
In reviewing data for the past fifteen years have scientists have identified an unexpected cold region in Jupiter’s upper mid-latitudes as large as the Great Red Spot.
“The Great Cold Spot is much more volatile than the slowly changing Great Red Spot, changing dramatically in shape and size over only a few days and weeks, but it has re-appeared for as long as we have data to search for it, for over 15 years,” Stallard said. “That suggests that it continually reforms itself, and as a result it might be as old as the aurorae that form it – perhaps many thousands of years old.”
The Great Cold Spot is thought to be caused by the effects of the magnetic field of the planet, with the massive planet’s spectacular polar aurorae driving energy into the atmosphere in the form of heat flowing around the planet.
Though they think the cold region is related to the aurora, I suspect they really do not have enough information to really understand what is going on.
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In reviewing data for the past fifteen years have scientists have identified an unexpected cold region in Jupiter’s upper mid-latitudes as large as the Great Red Spot.
“The Great Cold Spot is much more volatile than the slowly changing Great Red Spot, changing dramatically in shape and size over only a few days and weeks, but it has re-appeared for as long as we have data to search for it, for over 15 years,” Stallard said. “That suggests that it continually reforms itself, and as a result it might be as old as the aurorae that form it – perhaps many thousands of years old.”
The Great Cold Spot is thought to be caused by the effects of the magnetic field of the planet, with the massive planet’s spectacular polar aurorae driving energy into the atmosphere in the form of heat flowing around the planet.
Though they think the cold region is related to the aurora, I suspect they really do not have enough information to really understand what is going on.
Readers!
My annual February birthday fund-raising drive for Behind the Black is now over. Thank you to everyone who donated or subscribed. While not a record-setter, the donations were more than sufficient and slightly above average.
As I have said many times before, I can’t express what it means to me to get such support, especially as no one is required to pay anything to read my work. Thank you all again!
For those readers who like my work here at Behind the Black and haven't contributed so far, please consider donating or subscribing. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
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They think the cold spot it’s related to the Aurora? That caused me to laugh out loud. The doublespeak here astounds me. Does the Aurora cause heat that surrounds the planet? Or does it cause cold spots? They truly do not know. Does the Aurora over earth cause our pole to be cold? Or does that heat it and melt the ice? Neither. The aurora over Jupiter happens at such a height that the heat never reaches the cloud layer, just as it occurs in the stratosphere of earth.
An area 200 K cooler (360°F) is a very large difference. Then you consider we are talking about a temperature range between 800°F to 1,340°F in the outer atmosphere of Jupiter. (Mercury reaches a maximum of 800° At .4 AU from the sun, Jupiter is five AU from the sun)
I would also point out in their models that the equator is as dark as the reoccurring cold spot. I would like to see an explanation for the central belt being extremely cold. (only 800°F)
I’m sure there’s a joke here in reference to the mystical magical greenhouse effect…