html
Did you know that Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot—the biggest storm in our solar system—might be powered up by tiny storms? 🌪️🌪️ Yeah, it's like the cosmic version of a superhero getting a boost from sidekicks! 💪✨
A group of scientists from Yale University and the University of Louisville discovered that without these smaller storms, the Great Red Spot would actually shrink away in less than 1,000 days. That's like two and a half years! 😱
For over a century, space enthusiasts have watched as the Great Red Spot, a massive red-orange swirl over 16,000 kilometers wide, has been shrinking. In the late 1800s, this giant storm stretched 40 degrees across Jupiter, but by 2016, it had shrunk to just 14 degrees. 📏🪐
So, what's keeping it alive? The researchers ran super cool 3D simulations using the EPIC model (kudos to Timothy Dowling for that one! 🎓) to see what happens when smaller storms interact with the big guy. Turns out, these little tempests are like energy drinks for the Great Red Spot, keeping it spinning and strong! ⚡️🔥
Without them, the storm would lose its oomph and fade away. But with the constant influx of mini-storms, the Great Red Spot gets the energy it needs to keep on swirling. Pretty epic, right? 🌪️🌈
This discovery not only helps us understand Jupiter better but also gives us insights into atmospheric phenomena—even here on Earth. Science for the win! 🚀🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
