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rom 1664 to 1831: How to determine the true origin of the Great Red Spot
The Great Red Spot, a persistent high-pressure area in Jupiter's atmosphere, is unparalleled in its size in the entire solar system. This anticyclonic storm system has attracted attention not only for its striking red-orange color, but also for its thought-provoking history. Although centuries of observations have provided many important clues, the true origin of the Great Red Spot remains shrouded in mystery.
Observation History
Early Observations
Although the Great Red Spot may have existed before 1665, it is currently thought to have existed around 1830. It is worth noting that some observations recorded before 1713 cannot confirm the persistence of this phenomenon. Early discovery of the Great Red Spot is attributed to Robert Hawke, who described a spot on Jupiter in 1664, but this spot probably has nothing to do with the present-day location of the Great Red Spot.
A later description by Giovanni Cassini was more specific, noting the presence of a "persistent spot" that varied in scope and was observed between 1665 and 1713.
19th century and beyond
Since September 1831, recorded observations of the Great Red Spot have increased significantly. Continuous observations have been carried out since 1879, and this phenomenon has attracted widespread attention from the scientific community. A 2024 study showed that the "persistent spot" from 1665 to 1713 may not be the same phenomenon as the current Great Red Spot, a discovery that gives people new insights into its history.
All this means that the original Great Red Spot may have disappeared long ago, and then a new spot formed again, which is what we see today.
Explorations in the 20th and 21st centuries
The Great Red Spot was first clearly depicted in literature in 1979 when the Voyager 1 spacecraft sent back the first detailed image of the spectacle. With the advancement of space observation technology, scientists have discovered that the Great Red Spot is gradually shrinking. As of 2004, it is about half as long as it was a century ago.
This shrinking trend, combined with the recent "shedding" phenomenon, has led some astronomers to speculate that the Great Red Spot may disappear within the next 20 years.
The Great Red Spot's internal depth and structure
Although the Great Red Spot's appearance is fascinating, little is known about its internal structure. Previous observations have suggested that its interior may extend to a depth of about 240 kilometers below the cloud tops. Research into its vertical structure is ongoing, with the latest data analysis.
The results of this study show that the depth of the Great Red Spot is approximately between 200 and 500 kilometers, which provides strong support for understanding its dynamics.
Color and composition
The source of the Great Red Spot's bright red color remains uncertain. Some scholars have suggested that it may be produced by chemical substances such as ammonium sulfite under the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the sun, forming the so-called "earth forest" compound. This also provides a possible explanation for its color variation, as the Great Red Spot varies in color from almost brick red to pale salmon.
The future is connected
In the awakening fog, will the existence and persistence of the Great Red Spot trigger a new round of scientific exploration? With the development of science and technology, observations from different countries this year will continue to deepen our understanding of the Great Red Spot. This phenomenon is not only a core issue in planetary science, but also a symbol of human understanding of the universe. Is it possible to break through the limitations of existing cognition and find deeper answers?
