Jupiter's Third Red Spot Destroyed

[n2doc]

As Jupiter reached opposition earlier this week, it put on a spectacular show of cannibalism for anyone viewing with modest telescopes.

Planetary specialists around the world have been watching with baited breath as a cataclysmic encounter between Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS), Oval BA (Red, Jr.), and the newly discovered Little Red Spot (LRS) unfolded at the beginning of July. Though encounters such as this are relatively common on the gas giant, this event was greatly anticipated because the LRS was strong enough to dredge up material from deeper within Jupiter's atmosphere, imbuing it with the same reddish color as the GRS and Oval BA.

As the three storms converged on July 1, LRS appeared to be rapidly squeezed between the GRS and Oval BA. Images recorded through methane filters which accentuate upper-atmosphere details showed all three spots as individual features as late as July 7th, leading some to conclude that LRS had survived the encounter.

However, amateur Christopher Go of Cebu City, Philippines, captured high-resolution pictures on July 10 that appear to put an end to the speculation. His image shows no sign of the LRS, and methane images show only the GRS and Oval BA.

more:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/24453169.html

[beam me up scottie]

1. "a spectacular show of cannibalism "

What a perfect choice of words!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. A republican red spot... well, they have the color right, cannibalism

indeed.

[Deja Q]

2. Methane? Whoa, dude, global warming killed Jupiter before they even got a chance!

:cry:

Damn Juipterian cows, how dare they fart their way to oblivion...

[screembloodymurder]

3. Just wait.

We'll have our own red spot soon.

[TommyO]

7. More like a few red spots on a field of blue!

That's what I hope the electoral map looks like come November.

[FreakinDJ]

5. Just another discovery by the highly educated english speaking

work force that loves America and the US State Department hates -

because they asked, no told the USA to vacate Subic Bay and Clark Air Base

and we shove all of our manufacturing over to China and India because......

[Faygo Kid]

6. That's one down, two to go. . .

Interesting.

[Orsino]

8. I trust my little demonstration has been effective.

I will turn this weapon on planet Earth unless I receive...one...million...dollars.