Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Jupiter in 2015

NASA ^ | October 24, 2015 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: Two remarkable global maps of Jupiter's banded cloud tops can be compared by just sliding your cursor over this sharp projection (or follow this link) of image data from the Hubble Space Telescope. Both captured on January 19, during back-to-back 10 hour rotations of the ruling gas giant, the all-planet projections represent the first in a series of planned annual portraits by the Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy program. Comparing the two highlights cloud movements and measures wind speeds in the planet's dynamic atmosphere. In fact, the Great Red Spot, the famous long-lived swirling storm boasting 300 mile per hour winds, is seen sporting a rotating, twisting filament. The images confirm that Great Red Spot is still shrinking, though still larger than planet Earth. Posing next to it (lower right) is Oval BA, also known as Red Spot Junior.

[ADemocratNoMore]

What do you suppose the little light collected dots that are scattered in a few of the dark bands are? In the high-res image at the site it almost looks like a few are illuminating their surroundings.

[Beowulf9]

Hahaha! Killin’ me!

[Beowulf9]

That is a lovely idea. How original!

[SunkenCiv]

Jupiter is under steady asteroid bombardment, but those would have to be pretty big objects to leave visible scars (as was the case with the SL-9 comet fragments); that could be it though.

• Jupiter Has Taken a Massive Meteor Hit (So Earth Didn't Have To) [2012]
• Space news: Fireballs light up Jupiter [2010]
• Third Jupiter Fireball Spotted -- Sky-Watching Army Needed? [2010]
• Hubble Space Telescope Captures Rare Jupiter Collision [2010]
• Anthony Wesley records another impact on Jupiter! [2010]
• Hubble pictures Jupiter's 'scar' [2009]
• Jupiter Struck by Object, NASA Images Confirm [2009]
• Rethinking Jupiter [2007]
• Jupiter Increases Risk Of Comet Strike On Earth [2007]

[Textide]

Mmm, bacon

[Red Badger]

Jupiter’s acne is clearing up. Must be past adolescence, now.................

[SunkenCiv]

It’ll be entertaining when the tools arrive next year allowing us to learn whether or not Jupiter has a rocky core.