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Neptune's mysterious dark eye: What is the mystery of the Great Dark Spot's formation?
In 1989, NASA's Surveyor 2 probe first observed the Great Dark Spot on Neptune, a phenomenon that attracted widespread attention in the astronomical community. Similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot, the Great Dark Spot is an anticyclonic haze; however, these spots have a relatively short lifespan and seem to form and disappear every few years. The existence and movement of the Big Dark Spot are still shrouded in mystery.
Characteristics of the Big Black Spot
According to observations by Surveyor 2, the initial size of this elliptical black spot was approximately 13,000 x 6,600 kilometers, almost the same size as the Earth. Unlike Jupiter's Great Red Spot, Neptune's Great Dark Spot has the ability to move in a north-south direction, while Jupiter's Great Red Spot is fixed in the same latitude.
"The winds at the edge of the Great Dark Spot can reach speeds of 2,100 kilometers per hour, the fastest winds in the solar system."
The movement and disappearance of the big black spot
In November 1994, the Hubble Space Telescope once again photographed the Big Dark Spot, only to discover that it had completely disappeared. This phenomenon has been difficult for astronomers to explain, and many have speculated that the Big Dark Spot may have been covered up or disappeared. The continued presence of clouds also means that some of the places that were once large dark spots may still exist in the form of vortices even if they are no longer visible.
Observation of other black spots
Following the observation of the big black spot, different black spots were observed in subsequent years. In 1989, when Surveyor 2 discovered the Big Black Spot, it also found a second black spot, Black Spot 2 (DS2). Since 1994, only the Hubble Space Telescope has been able to continuously observe these phenomena on Neptune.
"There is a clear correlation between the formation of the Great Dark Spot and increased cloud activity."
Explore Neptune's future missions
As studies of the Great Dark Spot and other dark spots continue to deepen, scientists have proposed two mission concepts to explore Neptune. The Trident mission was proposed in 2021 to visit Neptune and its moon Triton, while Neptune Odyssey is scheduled to be launched in 2033, focusing on gaining a deeper understanding of Neptune's atmosphere and Triton. characteristics.
ConclusionThese mysterious large black spots on Neptune are undoubtedly fascinating astronomical phenomena, providing scientists with rich research materials. As future missions unfold, perhaps we'll be able to uncover more secrets behind these black spots. Where do these dark cyclones come from, and how do they affect Neptune's climate?
