This incredible NASA animation shows what it's like to fly into Jupiter's Great Red Spot

Advertisement
This incredible NASA animation shows what it's like to fly into Jupiter's Great Red Spot

The most famous storm in the solar system is also one of the largest: Jupiter's Great Red Spot. The storm is just a blemish on Jupiter, but if you compare it to the size of Earth - this storm could swallow our entire planet whole. In July, NASA Juno spacecraft flew over the spot and NASA then used that data to produce a simulated flight through the Great Red Spot. Following is a transcript of the video.

Advertisement

NASA's Juno spacecraft is orbiting Jupiter. Recently, it flew over Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot. The Great Red Spot is a giant storm 1.3X the size of Earth that's been raging for hundreds of years. As Juno flew over the swirling vortex, it measured the storm's temperature and depth.

NASA then used Juno's data to produce this simulation of what it would be like to fly into this massive storm. The storm is 50 to 100X deeper than Earth's oceans. As you dive deeper into the atmosphere the temperature increases.

"The warmth of the spot's base explains the ferocious winds we see at the top of the atmosphere," said Andy Ingersoll, Juno co-investigator in a NASA statement.

Wind speeds are greater than Earth's most powerful hurricanes. So, it's best that Juno keep its distance and simply enjoy the view from afar.

Advertisement