Recent photographs from an amateur astrophotographer have shed light on an intriguing phenomenon on Jupiter: two gigantic white storms visible in the planet's South Equatorial Belt (SEB). According to experts, these vortices could disrupt the appearance of the gas giant.
These giant white storms could alter the usual coloration of Jupiter's South Equatorial Belt.
Credit: Michael Karrer
These storms, captured by Michael Karrer in Austria using a 20-centimeter (8-inch) telescope, reveal striking white patches in a region typically defined by brownish cloud bands. John Rogers, from the British Astronomical Association, notes that such formations haven't been observed since 2016–2017.
These storms, reaching depths of nearly 100 kilometers (about 62 miles), span widths exceeding Earth's size. However, they will not last as long as the Great Red Spot, the iconic Jovian storm. Their fragmentation will lead to a mixing of the white hues with the surrounding brown clouds, a phenomenon already visible in the images.
The dilution of the brown belt is not unprecedented. Between 1973 and 1991, and briefly in 2010, the SEB temporarily disappeared under the influence of similar storms. Nevertheless, scientists believe it is still too early to predict a comparable transformation today.
These storms are driven by convection, a process similar to thunderstorms on Earth. However, Jupiter's lightning bolts differ significantly from ours: their green light is attributed to the presence of ammonia in the atmosphere, whereas on Earth, lightning often appears bluish due to water vapor.
Jupiter's lightning, captured by the Juno mission, displays a greenish tint due to atmospheric ammonia.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS, processing by Kevin M. Gill
Jupiter, which recently reached opposition, is currently in optimal conditions to be observed from Earth. The phenomenon offers a unique opportunity for amateur astronomers to study this gas giant, with or without sophisticated equipment, as long as it remains visible in the Taurus constellation.
These new observations are a reminder that even familiar phenomena in our Solar System continue to surprise, thanks to the vigilance of enthusiasts.