7 month anniversary of Saturn storm

[Quark]

Hi All,
Attached is an image from last night 27th June, marking the 7 month anniversary of the longest lived storm ever seen on Saturn.

I took 18 avi's to create 6 RGB images starting in the twilight.
Note the change in morphology from the image that I posted from 19th June In that image there were 2 storms, 1 at Lon 310 & 1 at Lon 342.
Last night there were still 2 storms, a fairly bright one at Lon 323 and a less prominent one at Lon 331.

This demonstrates the importance of collecting this data, these are transient object that can change over relatively short time frames. These images combined with the Cassini RPWS data allow for much more intense scientific analysis of the processes at work.

Regards
Trevor

[renormalised]

One thing I have noticed, as you mentioned, is that right hand storm is fading. It's probably running out of steam, so to speak.

[AlexN]

7 months... Im damn happy we dont have storms lasting that long here on earth!

[rollmebackagain]

I guess Saturn must be going through global warming too...

nice picture!

[Lester]

Great work you are doing Trevor.

[Matty P]

Well done Trevor, an excellent capture.

How much longer is this storm expected to last for before it disappears?

:thumbsup:

[Quark]

Hi Matty,
Thats the most enthralling thing about this project.
These are transient structures and this is the longest lived example ever seen.

When I image this region I never know if the storm is their until I process the avi's.

Before this storm formed in late November 2007 there had been no activity at all for the previous 21 months, nothing.

This storm may last for months longer or may have dissipated by the time I attempt to image it next. ( I can only get at the pertinent longitude range every 4 days, weather permitting).

Even if the storm disappear right now, there is a large body of amateur data recorded on it that will still be vital. Comparing this data with the archived data from the Cassini RPWS instrument would allow continuing analysis into the future, on the causes of Saturn Electrostatic Discharge.

Regards
Trevor