Scientists have noticed something dramatic happening in the Solar System: Jupiter’s famous Great Red Spot, the crimson monster storm that once was so large that it could eat three Earths, is mysteriously shrinking at high speed. Now it’s only the width of one Earth. Would it disappear in a few decades?
According to the observations by the Hubble Space Telescope made in 1995, 2009 and 2014, the entire process happened in less than three decades. Scientists don’t know why this is happening, according to NASA.
One theory is that “some unknown activity in the planet’s atmosphere may be draining energy and weakening the storm, causing it to shrink.”
1995
2009
2014
Here’s another comparison so you can see it in relation to the planet itself:
1995
2014
The Great Red Spot has been raging in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere for hundreds of years — 349 according to some estimations. Cassini talked about a permanent spot between 1665 and 1713.
Scientist don’t know yet why this is happening or if the giant planet would loose its most striking characteristic. I guess that, at this shrinking rate, we will know in a few decades. In the meantime, you would be able to ask questions to the scientists who made this discovery next Thursday at 4PM.
Also, just in case, let’s not go to Europa. Maybe this is just a warning.