Jupiter's Great Red Spot shrinking

The Great Red Spot of Jupiter, a massive storm visible for centuries, has been gradually shrinking in size. Its diameter has decreased from about 41,000 kilometers at the end of the 19th century to approximately 16,500 kilometers by 2014, as measured by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Rate of shrinkage measured

Observations from 2012 to 2024 show that the storm has been shrinking at an average rate of about 933 kilometers per year. The Juno probe also found that the storm does not extend more than 500 kilometers in depth, which is much shallower than previously thought.

Oscillations and deformation noted

Hubble observations from 2023 to 2024 reveal that the Great Red Spot oscillates and deforms. This movement may indicate that the storm is approaching a more compact and stable form, as it continues to shrink over time.

Historical measurements show decline

In 1979, the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes measured the storm's width at 14,500 miles, which was smaller than earlier estimates. By 2014, NASA confirmed the storm's diameter had decreased to about 10,250 miles, or 16,500 kilometers, less than half of some historical measurements.

New study details 90-day cycle

A study titled A Detailed Study of Jupiter's Great Red Spot over a 90-day Oscillation Cycle published in the Planetary Science Journal describes how the storm oscillates and deforms over a 90-day period. Researchers suggest this instability might be a temporary phase before the storm stabilizes in a more compact form.

Storm's historical continuity questioned

A 2024 study by Agustín Sánchez-Lavega suggests the current Great Red Spot may not be the same storm observed between 1665 and 1713. That earlier storm disappeared before the current one formed in 1831, indicating a possible break in the storm's historical continuity.

Ongoing research seeks full understanding

Despite its long history, the Great Red Spot continues to change. New observations from Hubble and Juno provide clues about its behavior, helping astronomers piece together the puzzle of this enigmatic storm.