A new image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope showcases Jupiter in the ultraviolet spectrum, revealing unexpected blue hues in the iconic Great Red Spot.
In a newly shared image, NASA has unveiled a unique perspective of our solar system's largest planet. Captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, the picture reveals Jupiter bathed in ultraviolet light . Notably, Jupiter 's iconic Great Red Spot , which appears reddish-orange in visible light, takes on a remarkably bright shade of blue in this ultraviolet view.
Ultraviolet light, or UV light, is a form of electromagnetic radiation that falls between visible light and X-rays on the electromagnetic spectrum. While invisible to the human eye, certain animals, such as bees, can perceive UV light. \Since we cannot directly see what an image taken in UV light would truly look like, this picture is a false-color composite. Each color, red, green, and blue, originates from a different ultraviolet filter. Jupiter's Great Red Spot, spanning approximately 1.3 times the diameter of Earth, measures roughly 10,000 miles across. This enduring storm has been observed for potentially over 350 years, though certainly at least 150 years, and has been gradually shrinking in size since its discovery. \While astronomers have observed a large spot on Jupiter since early telescopic observations in the 1600s, it remains uncertain if they were witnessing the same storm. The winds within the Great Red Spot can reach speeds up to 400 mph, far exceeding the velocity of any storm on Earth. The exact cause of the Great Red Spot's characteristic rusty hue remains a mystery. Studies suggest Jupiter's upper atmosphere comprises clouds of ammonia, ammonium hydrosulfide, and water. However, scientists are still investigating how, or even if, these chemicals contribute to the colors observed in the Great Red Spot. \This distinctive image was released by NASA in celebration of Jupiter reaching opposition, a celestial alignment where Jupiter, Earth, and the sun are positioned in a straight line, with Earth situated directly between Jupiter and the sun. During opposition, Jupiter reaches its closest point to Earth in its orbit, typically around 367 million miles away, making it appear noticeably brighter and larger in the night sky. This event occurs approximately once every 13 months as Earth and Jupiter have different orbital periods around the sun. This month, Jupiter will be visible in the sky alongside Mars, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, creating what is known as a 'planetary parade'. Although Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and Mars are visible to the naked eye, Neptune and Uranus require a telescope for observation as they are too distant
NASA Hubble Space Telescope Jupiter Great Red Spot Ultraviolet Light Opposition Planetary Parade
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