Close-Approaching Jupiter Dazzles in New Hubble Photo

[Judi Lynn]

By Mike Wall, Space.com Senior Writer | April 6, 2017 05:09pm ET


- click for photo -

https://img.purch.com/h/1400/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zcGFjZS5jb20vaW1hZ2VzL2kvMDAwLzA2NC81MTgvb3JpZ2luYWwvaHViYmxlLWp1cGl0ZXItcGhvdG8uanBnPzE0OTE1MTE1MTc=


At its most distant, Jupiter gets about 601 million miles (968 million km) from Earth.

The image, which Hubble captured with its Wide Field Camera 3 instrument, resolves details as small as 80 miles (129 km) across in Jupiter's dynamic atmosphere, NASA officials said. So the planet's many colorful bands are clearly visible.

"These bands, with alternating wind motions, are created by differences in the thickness and height of the ammonia ice clouds; the lighter bands rise higher and have thicker clouds than the darker bands," NASA officials wrote in an image description today (April 6). "The bands are separated by winds that can reach speeds of up to 400 miles (644 kilometers) per hour."

The famous Great Red Spot also stands out. This giant storm is larger than Earth, but it has been shrinking since the late 19th century, for reasons astronomers don't understand. Hubble will continue observing Jupiter, searching for clues to this mystery, NASA officials said.

More:
http://www.space.com/36382-jupiter-closest-approach-hubble-photo.html

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Wow, it's almost like one of those soft focus old timey movie shots

"I'm ready for my closeup!"

We took the telescope out the other night and looked at 'er, too.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

2. "Be sure to get my good side!"

😄 "I may be a planet, but I'm a STAR!"

[dhill926]

3. that is one gorgeous planet...

even has a nice little beauty mark....

[lark]

4. Beautiful!

Thanks.

[Victor_c3]

5. It looks a little better On Hubble than my wimpy telescope

I have a 10 year old $400 Newtonian reflector, but I splurged and bought a couple of top end eye pieces - each worth about what the telescope cost - and it actually makes a big difference.

I love watching the moons transit across Jupiter. Looking at that, the rings of Saturn, and our moon never get old to me.

[jeanmarc]

6. Big fan of Judi Lynn posts, always interesting

Keep up the great work. That was beautiful.