Despite its iconic color, researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes the Giant Red Spot to appear red. Some researchers think it could be due to chemicals like ammonia in the upper part of the storm.
The spot seems to be changing color over time, which researchers also don’t understand. Since 2014, it has been taking on a ruddy orange color that is slowly intensifying, according to NASA. The change could be due to changes in the storm’s chemical composition or the distribution of gasses within and above it.
Though Jupiter is very different from Earth, the dynamics governing its storms are similar. Therefore, a better understanding of Jupiter’s storms, including the Great Red Spot, could help scientists better understand the weather on Earth.
The Great Red Spot has a smaller counterpart called the Little Red Spot or Red Spot Jr., which formed between 1998 and 2000 from three white, oval-shaped storms.
The gasses above the Great Red Spot are hotter than anywhere else on Jupiter, according to a 2016 study. Researchers think the reason for the heating is acoustic waves created by the extreme turbulence of the storm.
It has been around for at least 359 years, and scientists say it could last for centuries.
