NASA’s Hubble Telescope captures ever-changing weather patterns on distant planets

Changes in weather on Jupiter and Uranus documented by Hubble Space Telescope

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured stunning images of changes in weather patterns on planets deep within our solar system. Recently released pictures show alterations taking place on both Jupiter and Uranus between 2014 and 2022.

Despite their slower rotational speeds and longer duration of each season, Jupiter and Uranus experience extreme weather due to their distance from the sun. The Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program, which uses the Hubble Telescope to better understand the atmospheric dynamics and evolution of outer planets, observed these changes.

Hubble’s latest images of Uranus reveal a large off-white circle caused by thickened photochemical haze along with several storms near the edge of the circle. This photochemical haze is similar to what we see above large cities on Earth. Scientists are trying to understand this chemical process driving the formation of this cap, but data is limited because Uranus takes over 20 years to complete one orbit around the Sun.

The growing ice cap on Uranus’ north pole

In the 2022 images captured by Hubble, a cap of icy smog appears to be growing over Uranus’ north pole as it approaches its northern summer season. One Uranian year is equivalent to 87 Earth years, so scientists study various aspects of each planet during relatively short periods when they are not obscured.

The growing ice cap visible in the latest image is made up of photochemical haze similar to smog found in major cities across our planet. Experts believe that this similarity could help study the buildup of chemicals in urban environments that cause health problems.

Experts are also tracking the size and brightness of Uranus’ north polar cap, which appears to grow brighter each year. Scientists anticipate similarly monitoring events in 2028 when Uranus’ northern summer solstice hits.

Jupiter’s storms and the Great Red Spot

For over 150 years, the Great Red Spot on Jupiter has been a prominent feature continually observed by astronomers. However, recent Hubble images show that it is at its smallest since regular observations began.

Scientists closely monitor Jupiter’s changing atmospheric dynamics using Hubble. The OPAL program captured images showing the shrinking of the Great Red Spot and growing activity in other areas.

Recent images from Hubble show multiple storms near Jupiter’s south pole, visible as a striking string of anticyclones and cyclones, which could merge to create a megastorm even bigger than the Great Red Spot. Experts believe this activity indicates that Jupiter’s storms are getting more powerful over time.

Hubble’s observation complement spacecraft missions

Hubble’s observations complement spacecraft missions to these worlds such as Juno, currently orbiting Jupiter, and provide insights when compared with past Voyager and Cassini missions. Scientists study the Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) Program to get a better perspective on how upper atmospheres are evolving on distant planets.

Hubble also captured stunning images of Jupiter’s moon, Io, which was visible as an orange sphere with a mottled orange surface due to numerous active volcanoes. These latest images are an example of yet another milestone in Hubble’s legacy of discoveries about our solar system and beyond.

In conclusion, these latest observations through the Hubble Space Telescope shed new light on changes in weather patterns on Jupiter and Uranus. The unique characteristics of these planets’ atmospheres offer valuable insights into atmospheric dynamics that scientists can study using data collected with extraterrestrial research efforts.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons