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Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA ^ | 5/5/08 | NASA

Posted on 05/05/2008 2:47:22 PM PDT by sig226


A Persistent Electrical Storm on Saturn
Credit:
Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA

Explanation: How do large storms evolve on Saturn? On Earth, a hurricane can persist for weeks, while the Great Red Spot on Jupiter has been in existence for over 150 years. On Saturn, a storm system has now set a new endurance record, now being discernable for greater than three months. Electrical signals were detected from the storm in late November of 2007, while the above image was taken in early March 2008. The storm has roughly the width of planet Earth. Planetary scientists hypothesize that the storm runs deep into Saturn's cloud tops. The above image is shown in exaggerated colors combining violet and green light with light normally too red for humans to see. Visible on the upper right are shadows of Saturn's expansive ring system. Careful inspection will reveal Saturn's small moon Janus just below a ring shadow. Understanding weather on other planets helps atmospheric scientists better understand our Earth's weather. Observers of our Solar System's huge ringed world will be tracking the storm to see how it evolves and how long it will ultimately last.


TOPICS: Astronomy Picture of the Day
KEYWORDS: apod

1 posted on 05/05/2008 2:47:23 PM PDT by sig226
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To: fnord; Number57; KevinDavis; rdb3; MNJohnnie; thoughtomator; RightWhale; proudofthesouth; ...

2 posted on 05/05/2008 2:49:22 PM PDT by sig226 (Real power is not the ability to destroy an enemy. It is the willingness to do it.)
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To: sig226

“Understanding weather on other planets helps atmospheric scientists better understand our Earth’s weather”

I’d argue until they have an oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere the same as us they will not learn much.


3 posted on 05/05/2008 2:52:27 PM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: Resolute Conservative

Agree. Here in Raleigh the NWS can’t accurately tell us what’s going to happen in the next 24 hours...


4 posted on 05/05/2008 2:57:44 PM PDT by NCjim (The more I use Windows, the more I love UNIX)
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To: NCjim

I want a job like that...decent salary and right only half the time....elect a Dem and it’ll be better.....tomorrow’s the day, here!!!


5 posted on 05/05/2008 3:16:26 PM PDT by RSmithOpt (Liberalism: Highway to Hell)
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To: Resolute Conservative

Atmospheric science was well advanced even before earth satellites and included models of the atmospheres of other planets. With the space probes gathering data on most of the planets now those models are being improved and detailed more every day. This has nothing to do with Global Warming which is an evil distraction from real science.


6 posted on 05/05/2008 4:00:48 PM PDT by RightWhale (Henry Stapp views the tutiverse as it siuglc cluanttuu wave function.)
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To: RSmithOpt
...decent salary and right only half the time...

I think you give them too much credit.

7 posted on 05/05/2008 4:23:44 PM PDT by HoosierHawk
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To: sig226

The wonders of the universe.


8 posted on 05/07/2008 8:32:11 PM PDT by Ciexyz
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