Little Red Spot
May 27, 2019 8:09 AM Subscribe
Around the world, amateur astronomers are monitoring a strange phenomenon on the verge of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. The giant storm appears to be unraveling.
More details are available from IFL Science!
The Great Red Spot has been shrinking for a long time: a hundred and fifty years ago, it could fit three earths within it, but now it can only fit one.
More details are available from IFL Science!
The Great Red Spot has been shrinking for a long time: a hundred and fifty years ago, it could fit three earths within it, but now it can only fit one.
You still had to say "Great" Red Spot in trivia, though.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:20 AM on May 27, 2019 [17 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:20 AM on May 27, 2019 [17 favorites]
I can't believe I missed that question, Huffy. Gah.
Also - this is super cool and also feels vaguely ominous? But mostly super cool.
posted by lazaruslong at 8:29 AM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
Also - this is super cool and also feels vaguely ominous? But mostly super cool.
posted by lazaruslong at 8:29 AM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
Can't we just avoid the size implication of the word "Great" and call it the "Exceptional Red Spot"?
posted by oneswellfoop at 8:39 AM on May 27, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 8:39 AM on May 27, 2019 [8 favorites]
The spin cycle of the laundry of the gods is done.
posted by XMLicious at 8:39 AM on May 27, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 8:39 AM on May 27, 2019 [14 favorites]
The Pretty Good Red Spot
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:43 AM on May 27, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:43 AM on May 27, 2019 [19 favorites]
Glad I’m not the only mefite who came here to say “agggh why did I miss that trivia question!”
posted by Secretariat at 8:46 AM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Secretariat at 8:46 AM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
Is this the part where I gloat about getting that trivia question right? I forfeited match day 1 this go round because I got stressed about work and forgot, so y'all are clearly entitled to counter-gloat.
Srsly, makes me want to get a scope and see it for myself, if it actually is petering out. I'm sure I saw it through small telescopes as a kid, since my school district had a really cool earth/space/science lab that did night observations for school kids, but it's been 25-ish years.
posted by Alterscape at 8:50 AM on May 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
Srsly, makes me want to get a scope and see it for myself, if it actually is petering out. I'm sure I saw it through small telescopes as a kid, since my school district had a really cool earth/space/science lab that did night observations for school kids, but it's been 25-ish years.
posted by Alterscape at 8:50 AM on May 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
I once had a great red spot when I was in high school.
But, this is cool. Made me read up on Jupiter. It is really alien. It rotates at 28,000 mph (vs. 1000 for earth) so it has just a ten hour day. The spot is a high pressure anti cyclone, so it is the opposite of a hurricane.
posted by Bee'sWing at 8:53 AM on May 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
But, this is cool. Made me read up on Jupiter. It is really alien. It rotates at 28,000 mph (vs. 1000 for earth) so it has just a ten hour day. The spot is a high pressure anti cyclone, so it is the opposite of a hurricane.
posted by Bee'sWing at 8:53 AM on May 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
I wonder if there are any Jupiterians denying that the spot is shrinking. "It's a plot by Saturn!"
posted by Gorgik at 8:55 AM on May 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Gorgik at 8:55 AM on May 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
Wesley says that such a streamer is peeling off every week or so.
"Peeling off a streamer" is going to be my go-to phrase when ever anyone asks me what I'm doing.
posted by chavenet at 8:59 AM on May 27, 2019 [27 favorites]
"Peeling off a streamer" is going to be my go-to phrase when ever anyone asks me what I'm doing.
posted by chavenet at 8:59 AM on May 27, 2019 [27 favorites]
Isn't the Red Spot where all the monoliths begin to multiply in 2010 Space Odyssey? I think we should be concerned if is condensing.
posted by Ber at 9:14 AM on May 27, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by Ber at 9:14 AM on May 27, 2019 [7 favorites]
Has anyone spotted a monolith yet?
posted by SonInLawOfSam at 9:16 AM on May 27, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by SonInLawOfSam at 9:16 AM on May 27, 2019 [6 favorites]
Ha, I saw this, and immediately went and posted it on the LL thread, and only then came back here and read the comments which are ... mostly about the LL thread.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:21 AM on May 27, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 9:21 AM on May 27, 2019 [4 favorites]
I remember being in the Khan Scope Center, a little shop across from the Efton Science store on Dufferin (the one that had the giant rooftop refractor sign). It was a week before comet Shoemaker-Levy's projected impact on Jupiter and I was using that as an excuse to buy a fancy Nagler eyepiece. The owner said, "you know you're not going to see ANYTHING, right?"
I saw the first spots not long after the first one rotated into view, watching and pointing it out to passersby until Jupiter got too low in the sky to make anything out.
[Insert Imgur meme of chubby baby making fist]
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:22 AM on May 27, 2019 [14 favorites]
I saw the first spots not long after the first one rotated into view, watching and pointing it out to passersby until Jupiter got too low in the sky to make anything out.
[Insert Imgur meme of chubby baby making fist]
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:22 AM on May 27, 2019 [14 favorites]
The Pretty Good Red Spot
They're good storms, Bront.
posted by Fizz at 9:23 AM on May 27, 2019 [28 favorites]
They're good storms, Bront.
posted by Fizz at 9:23 AM on May 27, 2019 [28 favorites]
[Insert Imgur meme of embryonic Dave Bowman making fist]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:26 AM on May 27, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:26 AM on May 27, 2019 [12 favorites]
The Not Too Bad Red Spot
The Little Red Spot That Could
The “Only” Pretty Big Spot That’s Still Bigger Than Your Whole Planet; Why Don’t You Come Over Here and Say That, “Earth?”
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:29 AM on May 27, 2019 [20 favorites]
The Little Red Spot That Could
The “Only” Pretty Big Spot That’s Still Bigger Than Your Whole Planet; Why Don’t You Come Over Here and Say That, “Earth?”
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:29 AM on May 27, 2019 [20 favorites]
Driving at night, between Utah and Nevada, at the equinox; I noticed what I thought was a car about a mile back, steadily following me. At the spring Equinox anyway the sky was like a big bowl sitting all the way down, of bright stars, horizon to horizon. I became unnerved and turned off my carlights, ducking in behind a big gravel pile off to the right. I was determined to let the vehicle pass or show its self. It didn't come. So after a half hour break, which I needed anyway, I set out again, and there it was, again following me. Finally I just pulled over and got out. Gazing hard at the eastern horizon, I realized it was Jupiter "following me," chagrined, and delighted, I drove on.
It is a massive planetary change, the closing of The Great Red Eye. I wonder if its rotation speed has changed. The whole thing seems somewhat abrupt.
posted by Oyéah at 9:39 AM on May 27, 2019 [12 favorites]
It is a massive planetary change, the closing of The Great Red Eye. I wonder if its rotation speed has changed. The whole thing seems somewhat abrupt.
posted by Oyéah at 9:39 AM on May 27, 2019 [12 favorites]
oh my god i hope something is coming to destroy us
i demand to be destroyed
posted by poffin boffin at 10:03 AM on May 27, 2019 [36 favorites]
i demand to be destroyed
posted by poffin boffin at 10:03 AM on May 27, 2019 [36 favorites]
R.O.U.S.
Redspot Of Unusual Size
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:04 AM on May 27, 2019 [17 favorites]
Redspot Of Unusual Size
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:04 AM on May 27, 2019 [17 favorites]
Make the Red Spot Great Again
on a side note, this thread reminded me to take a look at Learned League, which I guess needs an invite to join. Does MeFi have a team, or is it everyone on their own?
posted by nubs at 10:05 AM on May 27, 2019 [4 favorites]
on a side note, this thread reminded me to take a look at Learned League, which I guess needs an invite to join. Does MeFi have a team, or is it everyone on their own?
posted by nubs at 10:05 AM on May 27, 2019 [4 favorites]
Is this really a surprise? I mean after they shut down the youth-serum factory a few years ago there was just no reason to keep the vortex passage open.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 10:10 AM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 10:10 AM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
I'm Great Enough, I'm Red Enough, and Doggone It, People Watch Me. And That's...OK.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:13 AM on May 27, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:13 AM on May 27, 2019 [7 favorites]
a hundred and fifty years ago, it could fit three earths within it, but now it can only fit one.
oh my god what if the earth is getting bigger?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:18 AM on May 27, 2019 [25 favorites]
oh my god what if the earth is getting bigger?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:18 AM on May 27, 2019 [25 favorites]
The time frame of this is interesting. We're used to talking about astronomy in terms of transient events that are visible for minutes, hours, or maybe a few weeks for exceptionally pretty comets. On the other extreme are changes that take thousands or millions of years. The Great Red Spot and Eta Carniae are examples of things that are changing on about the same time frame as human history and may disappear in a few generations.
posted by GenderNullPointerException at 10:26 AM on May 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by GenderNullPointerException at 10:26 AM on May 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
So if it gets small enough will the astronomical community downvote it to a minor red patch or something?
Yeah. I'm still pissed about Pluto. What of it?
posted by Splunge at 10:40 AM on May 27, 2019 [7 favorites]
Yeah. I'm still pissed about Pluto. What of it?
posted by Splunge at 10:40 AM on May 27, 2019 [7 favorites]
a hundred and fifty years ago, it could fit three earths within it
that's as many as three ones! and that's terrible
posted by poffin boffin at 10:41 AM on May 27, 2019 [15 favorites]
that's as many as three ones! and that's terrible
posted by poffin boffin at 10:41 AM on May 27, 2019 [15 favorites]
The Red Dwarf Spot.
I could live with that.
really more of a rash, I suppose.
posted by kaibutsu at 10:50 AM on May 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
I could live with that.
really more of a rash, I suppose.
posted by kaibutsu at 10:50 AM on May 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
Will the GRS ultimately disintegrate to nothing in a few decades?
posted by doctornemo at 12:04 PM on May 27, 2019
posted by doctornemo at 12:04 PM on May 27, 2019
The problem is the red spot has been called great all throughout its childhood and now suffers from Impostor Syndrome and anxiety abut not meeting expectations.
posted by The Whelk at 12:04 PM on May 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 12:04 PM on May 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
I wonder if this is similar to what (to my non-meteorologist understanding) is producing the polar vortexes here on earth, where masses of cold air from the arctic icecap are peeling off and heading south.
posted by TedW at 1:06 PM on May 27, 2019
posted by TedW at 1:06 PM on May 27, 2019
Climate change deniers will starting using this as proof of some bullshit.
posted by popcassady at 1:08 PM on May 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by popcassady at 1:08 PM on May 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
You're right, but they've been doing that for at least a decade anyway.
I remember reading an article back then claiming that several planets in the solar system were showing unmistakable signs of Warming.
posted by jamjam at 1:12 PM on May 27, 2019
I remember reading an article back then claiming that several planets in the solar system were showing unmistakable signs of Warming.
posted by jamjam at 1:12 PM on May 27, 2019
Too bad we don't (I presume) have enough good observations from the Maunder Minimum, when there might well have been cooling across the solar system on planets with cloud-forming atmospheres which corresponded to the cooling on this planet, to know what the Spot was doing then.
But come to think of it, aren't we in a pretty deep minimum right at the moment?
posted by jamjam at 1:22 PM on May 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
But come to think of it, aren't we in a pretty deep minimum right at the moment?
posted by jamjam at 1:22 PM on May 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
There's a gap in the historical observation record of Jupiter from 1665 until the 1830's where it is unknown if the Great Red Spot was still around and went unremarked/unobserved, or if it dissipated, and the one we've been seeing is a different storm.
Furthermore, there was a TV series that went along with James Gleick's "Chaos" book back in the 80's, and there was a segment where they demonstrated spinning liquid in a container would develop these long-lived vortices.
So, this is probably normal behavior, and we're just getting lucky to see it before humanity craps itself out of the technology game.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 1:30 PM on May 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
Furthermore, there was a TV series that went along with James Gleick's "Chaos" book back in the 80's, and there was a segment where they demonstrated spinning liquid in a container would develop these long-lived vortices.
So, this is probably normal behavior, and we're just getting lucky to see it before humanity craps itself out of the technology game.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 1:30 PM on May 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
where masses of cold air from the arctic icecap
and also it just got out of the pool
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 2:10 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
and also it just got out of the pool
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 2:10 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
oh my god i hope something is coming to destroy us
SCP-2399
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 2:21 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
SCP-2399
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 2:21 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
🔴
posted by terrapin at 2:46 PM on May 27, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by terrapin at 2:46 PM on May 27, 2019 [6 favorites]
There's a gap in the historical observation record of Jupiter from 1665 until the 1830's
hold on, i need to know more about how we misplaced the largest planet in our solar system for 200 years like a pair of reading glasses we shoved up onto our heads and then spent all afternoon looking for
posted by poffin boffin at 2:47 PM on May 27, 2019 [14 favorites]
hold on, i need to know more about how we misplaced the largest planet in our solar system for 200 years like a pair of reading glasses we shoved up onto our heads and then spent all afternoon looking for
posted by poffin boffin at 2:47 PM on May 27, 2019 [14 favorites]
In A Journey in Other Worlds (1894) by John Jacob Astor IV (long Twitter summary), the Great Red Spot is a massive autumnal forest. Maybe it’s finally winter.
posted by nev at 2:53 PM on May 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by nev at 2:53 PM on May 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
Even Jupiter can no longer bear to watch us ...
posted by thatwhichfalls at 3:42 PM on May 27, 2019
posted by thatwhichfalls at 3:42 PM on May 27, 2019
Finally! A planetary climate change catastrophe which ISN'T humanity's fault!
posted by Xiphias Gladius at 5:11 PM on May 27, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Xiphias Gladius at 5:11 PM on May 27, 2019 [4 favorites]
Finally! A planetary climate change catastrophe which ISN'T humanity's fault!
Well, we only know about it because we are watching it.
posted by nubs at 5:23 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
Well, we only know about it because we are watching it.
posted by nubs at 5:23 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
It's really amazing that one of the more beautiful things in the extra-terrestrial solar system is this transient. How easily humanity could have completely missed it.
How sad it would be if a few hundred years from now Jupiter had no red spot. That and the Earth's gigantic moon--which from Earth is almost exactly the same apparent size as the Sun and makes such amazing eclipses--would have been one our solar system's major tourist attractions. One more bit of the future in a bunch of science fiction stories no longer possible.
posted by straight at 5:27 PM on May 27, 2019
How sad it would be if a few hundred years from now Jupiter had no red spot. That and the Earth's gigantic moon--which from Earth is almost exactly the same apparent size as the Sun and makes such amazing eclipses--would have been one our solar system's major tourist attractions. One more bit of the future in a bunch of science fiction stories no longer possible.
posted by straight at 5:27 PM on May 27, 2019
hold on, i need to know more about how we misplaced the largest planet in our solar system for 200 years like a pair of reading glasses we shoved up onto our heads and then spent all afternoon looking for
"Awright, which one'a y'all moved Jupiter?? I left it right here, fer Pete's sake! You damn kids, I swan to gracious..."
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:51 PM on May 27, 2019
"Awright, which one'a y'all moved Jupiter?? I left it right here, fer Pete's sake! You damn kids, I swan to gracious..."
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:51 PM on May 27, 2019
Finally! A planetary climate change catastrophe which ISN'T humanity's fault!
Well, we only know about it because we are watching it.
I just want to thank nubs for this fantastic joke. I can only assume that the reason I'm not observing more favorites on it is because their wavefunctions haven't collapsed yet.
posted by solotoro at 6:42 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
It's really amazing that one of the more beautiful things in the extra-terrestrial solar system is this transient. How easily humanity could have completely missed it.
If you liked that one, then get ready for the hypothesis that Saturn's rings are *also* transient! They're like K-T boundary age, and nobody knows how long they're gonna stick around.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:46 PM on May 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
If you liked that one, then get ready for the hypothesis that Saturn's rings are *also* transient! They're like K-T boundary age, and nobody knows how long they're gonna stick around.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:46 PM on May 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
Maybe the folks down on Jupiter are kinda happy that storm's finally winding down? Hardly a catastrophe in that respect.
posted by OHenryPacey at 7:17 PM on May 27, 2019
posted by OHenryPacey at 7:17 PM on May 27, 2019
So cool. I hope I get to see it before it disappears completely.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 7:21 PM on May 27, 2019
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 7:21 PM on May 27, 2019
get ready for the hypothesis that Saturn's rings are *also* transient! They're like K-T boundary age, and nobody knows how long they're gonna stick around.
K-T boundary!?
'Well, when that asteroid from the Oort Cloud smashed into a now lost moon of Saturn and created the rings we see today, a left over piece continued on to Earth and killed the Dinosaurs!'
posted by jamjam at 7:27 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
K-T boundary!?
'Well, when that asteroid from the Oort Cloud smashed into a now lost moon of Saturn and created the rings we see today, a left over piece continued on to Earth and killed the Dinosaurs!'
posted by jamjam at 7:27 PM on May 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
Last time I looked at Jupiter through a crappy 60mm refractor scope the spot was just discernable as a definite thing rather than possibly a smidge on a lens. I wonder if it will shrink enough in my lifetime to cross that threshold of visibility. Maybe it already has, it's been a good 10+ years now.
I really need to get away from all the light pollution.
posted by wierdo at 10:40 PM on May 27, 2019
I really need to get away from all the light pollution.
posted by wierdo at 10:40 PM on May 27, 2019
One of the nice things about about observing the planets is that they are bright enough to not be affected much by light pollution. Unfortunately there aren't many of them compared to deep-sky objects, but worth a look if you haven't.
posted by swr at 11:47 PM on May 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by swr at 11:47 PM on May 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
We don't know how long the Great Red Spot has been there. I mean, unlike constellations and eclipses and supernovae and such, this is not something that ancient people could see. So it is entirely possible that it has only been there a few hundred years before we saw it. Or it has been there for millenia. We don't know.
In the chaotic storms of Jupiter, perhaps there were wondrous things before this. Maybe several Great Spots traveling around the globe and we are now witness to the last one dissolving.
posted by vacapinta at 6:17 AM on May 28, 2019
In the chaotic storms of Jupiter, perhaps there were wondrous things before this. Maybe several Great Spots traveling around the globe and we are now witness to the last one dissolving.
posted by vacapinta at 6:17 AM on May 28, 2019
we are now witness to the last one dissolving.
Perhaps we will also be witness to the next one forming.
posted by nubs at 10:03 AM on May 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Perhaps we will also be witness to the next one forming.
posted by nubs at 10:03 AM on May 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
oh my god what if the earth is getting bigger?
I mean, a steady diet of methane and carbon dioxide will do that to anyone
posted by numaner at 1:27 PM on May 28, 2019
I mean, a steady diet of methane and carbon dioxide will do that to anyone
posted by numaner at 1:27 PM on May 28, 2019
There never was a Great Red Spot.
We have always been at war with Venus.
posted by neuron at 9:21 PM on May 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
We have always been at war with Venus.
posted by neuron at 9:21 PM on May 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Wait, is there a learned league group of MeFites? This is my first season and I want to join!
Also great FPP, I had no idea it was getting smaller but makes sense that its stability was merely an anomaly.
posted by midmarch snowman at 6:33 AM on May 29, 2019
Also great FPP, I had no idea it was getting smaller but makes sense that its stability was merely an anomaly.
posted by midmarch snowman at 6:33 AM on May 29, 2019
The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Spot
posted by stripesandplaid at 6:50 AM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by stripesandplaid at 6:50 AM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
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