Jupiter grows a new red spot

[iceman (Mike)]

Well, some of us imagers have been discussing it for a while, now NASA makes it official.

They've got an article on their science mailing list about Jupiter's new Red Spot.. they call it "Red Jnr", or "The Not So Great Red Spot".

It's the Oval BA that formed when 3 white spots merged in 2000, and now it's turned red, indicating that the storm is growing more powerful. They've included Chris Go's recent (amazing) image of it.

Read the article and see the picture here:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2...htm?list149304

I'm disappointed though, I captured it on the 21st January - I haven't seen any images of it from before that time.. maybe I was first?

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/a...4&d=1137983408

It's on the right hand side.. I should've sent my image to NASA back then!

What's also interesting, is that the new red spot and the GRS are getting closer together.. my image shows them quite a distance apart, but Chris' image shows them closer together. Chris is expecting that around April/May they'll have their close encounter.. it will be very interesting to see what happens, whether they'll both survive or whether the GRS will consume the SRS and make an even bigger RS!

I'll definitely be paying attention to that red spot now and will try to get some more images of it.

[Robert_T]

Great Stuff Mike, I guess this (and our Saturn storm images) shows how us amateurs can do more than take pretty pictures but actually images of some scientific interest, often preceding the scientific communities notice.

Send 'em you shot anyway.

cheers

[ving (David)]

so theres a BRS hey?
thanks mike. if i get a chance I'll have a squiz at olde joop

[fringe_dweller]

thats very interesting Mike, thanks for posting this. I would say you are spot on right, you have captured an early view of the 'Baby Red Spot' (is right Vingo? hehe) , perhaps the first! congrats!
and i have to wonder how it will pan out, plenty of action - never a dull moment is there!

[davidpretorius]

i first saw this on this site and also the storm of saturn.

we can be proud of ourselves!!!

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Thats very cool Mike !
Well done in catching the image !

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Gee, imagine if you were the first Mike - that would be extremely cool!

So if they merge, will they make
"The Perfect Storm"?

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Exciting stuff!
Are any of our group into radio astronomy? I'd be interested to hear the difference in output before and after the two storms merge.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Excellent work, Mike!

I saw the SRS with my own eyes at Snake Valley last w/e with me 8" Dobbie. It was beautifully captured by Bird, too.