LONDON: In 1965, Giovanni Cassini had discovered that Great Red Spot which are still existed on Jupiter. Since then the researchers have been trying to solve the mysteries, that why its colour is red.
To further probe into the discovery, the NASA experts used ultraviolet light to simulate sunlight and they came to know that there were two gases ammonia and acetylene exist on Jupiter.
Actually 300-year ago, the giant red spot became victim to a big storm. And the red spot is large enough that three earths could fit inside it. It rotates counter-clockwise in a six day cycle with a width that’s double that of the Earth’s.
The intensity of the Great Red Spot’s color is due to the storm’s winds bringing ammonia ice particles into the upper atmosphere of the planet, and then exposing it to more UV light. The storm can’t stop the ammonia particles from lingering, creating a constant red color
The Red Spot could be the product of chemicals in the planet’s upper atmosphere split apart by the sun.
“Our models suggest most of the Great Red Spot is actually pretty bland in color, beneath the upper cloud layer of reddish material. Under the reddish ‘sunburn’ the clouds are probably whitish or grayish.” said NASA researcher Kevin Baines.
NASA says ammonia may “both enable and enhance” the reddening.
“The Great Red Spot is extremely tall. It reaches much higher altitudes than clouds elsewhere on Jupiter,” Baines added.
Aside from red, Jupiter showcases colors such as orange, brown and other shades of red.
NASA will present its findings this week at the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Science Meeting in Tucson, Arizona.
