1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,220 Okay, so you sent us some fascinating research about a storm on Jupiter. 2 00:00:05,220 --> 00:00:10,760 But not just any storm, we're talking about a swirling behemoth that could swallow our 3 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:12,100 entire planet. 4 00:00:12,100 --> 00:00:13,100 It's true. 5 00:00:13,100 --> 00:00:15,920 It's hard to grasp the sheer scale of it. 6 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:16,980 Jupiter's great red spot. 7 00:00:16,980 --> 00:00:20,460 This isn't just some fleeting weather event. 8 00:00:20,460 --> 00:00:24,940 This storm has been raging for centuries, maybe even longer. 9 00:00:24,940 --> 00:00:25,940 Centuries. 10 00:00:25,940 --> 00:00:26,940 That's older than the United States. 11 00:00:26,940 --> 00:00:28,580 It is, yeah. 12 00:00:28,580 --> 00:00:30,240 So what exactly are we dealing with here? 13 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,000 Is it like a supersized hurricane? 14 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:36,680 It's actually an anti-cyclone, meaning it spins in the opposite direction of Jupiter's 15 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:37,680 rotation. 16 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:38,680 Oh, wow. 17 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:45,920 Imagine a colossal whirlpool of wind with a high pressure center, and those winds, they 18 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:50,280 can reach speeds of up to 432 kilometers per hour. 19 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:51,280 Whoa. 20 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:53,000 That's faster than most bullet trains. 21 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:56,600 Welcome to Cosmos in a Podspace and Astronomy series. 22 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:58,120 I am already hooked. 23 00:00:58,120 --> 00:00:59,120 Great. 24 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:02,280 Let's dive into what we know about this great red spot. 25 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,320 You mentioned its size, but how big are we talking exactly? 26 00:01:05,320 --> 00:01:08,760 Even though it's been shrinking over time, it's still wider than the Earth. 27 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:09,760 Really? 28 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:14,400 To put that into perspective, if you could somehow place the Earth inside the great red 29 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:18,760 spot, it would be like dropping a marble into a basketball. 30 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:19,940 Wow. 31 00:01:19,940 --> 00:01:21,720 It's mind-boggling to think about. 32 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:24,040 OK, so it's massive. 33 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,600 It's ancient, and it spins in reverse. 34 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:27,600 Right. 35 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:29,920 What else makes this storm so unique? 36 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:32,520 I'm guessing a storm that lasts this long. 37 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:33,520 Yeah. 38 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:35,760 Must have some pretty unusual factors at play. 39 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:36,760 You're right. 40 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:43,160 Unlike Earth, which has a solid surface that causes storms to lose energy through friction. 41 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:45,400 Jupiter is a gas giant. 42 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:48,600 That means there's no solid ground for the great red spot to rub against. 43 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:49,800 So it just keeps swirling. 44 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:50,800 It just keeps swirling. 45 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:53,560 So it's like a spinning top that never runs out of momentum. 46 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:54,560 Yeah. 47 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:56,360 But what's driving this perpetual motion? 48 00:01:56,360 --> 00:02:02,480 It's fueled by Jupiter's internal heat, which is constantly rising and generating powerful 49 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:04,880 jet streams in the atmosphere. 50 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:09,840 The great red spot is basically trapped between two of these streams, holding it in place 51 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,160 like a cosmic dance. 52 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:13,160 Hold on. 53 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:18,280 So this storm is hundreds of years old, and we've actually been watching it change. 54 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:20,640 What kind of changes are we talking about? 55 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:26,080 Scientists have been observing the great red spot for centuries, first with simple telescopes 56 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:31,800 and now with high tech instruments like the Hubble Space Telescope and the Juno spacecraft. 57 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:34,920 And what they've seen is a fascinating story of evolution. 58 00:02:34,920 --> 00:02:35,920 OK. 59 00:02:35,920 --> 00:02:37,640 You've piqued my curiosity. 60 00:02:37,640 --> 00:02:41,600 What exactly have we learned about this storm's evolution? 61 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:45,360 Are we talking about changes in size, shape, intensity? 62 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:46,360 All of the above. 63 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:47,360 Really? 64 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:48,360 It's shrunk in size. 65 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:49,360 OK. 66 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:51,480 Its shape has shifted slightly over time. 67 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:54,040 And even its color has varied. 68 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,640 Sometimes appearing a deep red and other times fading to a pale orange. 69 00:02:57,640 --> 00:02:58,760 Wait, color? 70 00:02:58,760 --> 00:02:59,760 Yeah. 71 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:02,280 So why is it called the great red spot? 72 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:04,280 What's giving it that reddish hue? 73 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:06,200 Is it rust or something? 74 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,080 That's where it gets really interesting. 75 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:15,400 The prevailing theory is that the red color is caused by complex chemical reactions happening 76 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:17,360 high in Jupiter's atmosphere. 77 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:18,360 Oh, wow. 78 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:24,760 And then light interacts with certain compounds like ammonia and hydrocarbons, possibly creating 79 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:26,360 those reddish tones. 80 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:27,640 So it's not just a giant storm. 81 00:03:27,640 --> 00:03:30,320 It was like a giant swirling chemistry experiment. 82 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:31,520 It is. 83 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:37,080 But if it's been around for centuries, someone must have spotted it before we had fancy telescopes, 84 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:38,080 right? 85 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:39,080 You're absolutely right. 86 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:40,080 Yeah. 87 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:45,840 Early astronomers like Giovanni Cassini and Robert Hooke observed the great red spot as 88 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,000 far back as the 1660s. 89 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,000 That's amazing. 90 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:53,480 Imagine peering through those rudimentary telescopes and seeing this massive red oval 91 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:55,520 on another planet. 92 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:57,200 Talk about a mind blowing moment. 93 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:58,200 That's amazing. 94 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,320 From those early observations to modern space missions, it sounds like we've amassed quite 95 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:05,520 a bit of knowledge about this storm. 96 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:10,280 Over time, what are some of the key things we've learned from more recent observations? 97 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:16,800 Well the Voyager probes in 1979 gave us our first detailed close up images of the great 98 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:17,800 red spot. 99 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:18,800 Cool. 100 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:23,120 Revealing the intricate swirling patterns of its cloud tops. 101 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:24,600 Those images were revolutionary. 102 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:25,880 I bet. 103 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:30,360 Seeing those close up images must have been like unlocking a new level of understanding. 104 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:31,360 Absolutely. 105 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:33,240 What about more recent missions? 106 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:36,000 Has anything else added to our knowledge of the great red spot? 107 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:37,000 Absolutely. 108 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:43,600 The Juno mission, which has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016, has given us unprecedented 109 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:49,040 insights into the great red spot's depth and internal structure. 110 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:55,160 Juno's data suggests the storm extends over 300 kilometers into Jupiter's atmosphere. 111 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:56,160 It's deep. 112 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:57,880 300 kilometers deep. 113 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:00,320 That's deeper than the entire Earth's atmosphere. 114 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:01,320 It is, yeah. 115 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:03,640 But it makes sense that we're sending spacecraft to study this thing. 116 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:04,640 Right. 117 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:06,120 It was more than just a cosmic curiosity, right? 118 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:10,480 There's got to be real scientific value in understanding how a storm like this works. 119 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:12,280 You're exactly right. 120 00:05:12,280 --> 00:05:15,880 Understanding the great red spot is like having a giant natural laboratory. 121 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:17,040 Oh, wow. 122 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:22,200 To understand planetary weather on a scale we simply can't replicate here on Earth. 123 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:24,720 So it's not just about this one storm on Jupiter. 124 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:25,720 No. 125 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,880 It's about understanding the fundamental principles of how atmospheres work. 126 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:30,880 Right. 127 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:31,880 On other planets. 128 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:34,400 Potentially even planets outside of our solar system. 129 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:35,400 Exactly. 130 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:39,640 So this massive storm is actually helping us understand Jupiter itself. 131 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:40,640 Yes. 132 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,680 It's actually other gas giants in the universe. 133 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:43,680 Right. 134 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:44,680 That's incredible. 135 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:45,680 It is. 136 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:46,680 And not just that. 137 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:47,680 Okay. 138 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:53,000 By comparing the great red spot to hurricanes and cyclones on Earth, researchers can refine 139 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:55,120 their models of atmospheric physics. 140 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:56,120 Okay. 141 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,400 Which ultimately helps us understand weather patterns on our own planet better. 142 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:00,400 Okay. 143 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:05,520 So this great red spot, it's like a window into the workings of not only Jupiter's atmosphere, 144 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:08,400 but potentially atmospheres on other planets as well. 145 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:09,400 Right. 146 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:11,720 So this is truly fascinating stuff. 147 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:12,720 It is. 148 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:13,920 And we're just getting started. 149 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:14,920 Yeah. 150 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:17,880 There are so many more intriguing questions to explore. 151 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:18,880 Absolutely. 152 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:19,880 Well then let's keep digging. 153 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:20,880 Okay. 154 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:25,120 We'll be back in part two to delve deeper into the mysteries of this fascinating storm. 155 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:26,120 Sounds good. 156 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:27,120 Don't go anywhere. 157 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,760 All right. 158 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:31,640 Welcome back to Cosmos in a Pod. 159 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:32,640 Yeah. 160 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:36,680 We're right in the thick of unraveling the mysteries of Jupiter's great red spot. 161 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:37,680 Absolutely. 162 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:42,960 It's a storm that continues to defy easy explanations and fuels our scientific curiosity. 163 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:43,960 Yeah. 164 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:45,800 It truly is a remarkable phenomenon. 165 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:46,800 It is. 166 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:51,400 And as we learn more about it, we're not just gaining insights into Jupiter itself, but 167 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:56,840 also into the dynamics of atmospheres on other gas giants throughout our universe. 168 00:06:56,840 --> 00:06:58,800 That's what I find so fascinating about this whole thing. 169 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:03,360 It's like studying one storm can unlock secrets about planets light years away. 170 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:04,360 It is. 171 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:08,640 Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let's get back to the great red spot itself. 172 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:09,640 Okay. 173 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,520 You mentioned earlier that it's been shrinking. 174 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:13,480 How much smaller has it gotten over time? 175 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,880 It's a significant shrinkage, you see. 176 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:20,400 The great red spot used to be large enough to comfortably fit three Earths inside it. 177 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:21,400 Really? 178 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,080 Now it's shrunk down to the point where it could only hold one Earth. 179 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:25,080 Wow. 180 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:27,000 That's a pretty dramatic decrease in size. 181 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:28,000 It is. 182 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:31,880 What are scientists saying about the cause of this shrinking? 183 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:34,680 Is it something we should be concerned about? 184 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:39,160 There's no need to worry about the great red spot disappearing anytime soon, at least not 185 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,680 from her perspective here on Earth. 186 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:47,360 However, scientists are very interested in understanding the mechanisms behind this shrinkage. 187 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:51,560 So what are some of the leading theories about why the great red spot is getting smaller? 188 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:56,040 Well there are several possibilities, and it's likely a combination of factors. 189 00:07:56,040 --> 00:08:01,440 One theory is that smaller storms and eddies are colliding with the great red spot, essentially 190 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:04,000 nibbling away at its outer edges. 191 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:08,080 So it's like a cosmic demolition derby with these smaller storms crashing into the great 192 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:11,760 red spot and causing it to lose energy and shrink. 193 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:13,400 That's a great way to visualize it. 194 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:14,400 That's a good one. 195 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:17,120 And then there's the influence of Jupiter's jet streams. 196 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,400 Right, the ones that are basically holding the great red spot in place. 197 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:21,400 Exactly. 198 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:25,680 Well those jet streams can shift and change in intensity over time. 199 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:30,160 And those changes could be impacting the stability and size of the great red spot. 200 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:34,760 So it's like if the lanes on a highway suddenly narrowed or widened, it would affect the flow 201 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:35,760 of traffic. 202 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:36,760 Right. 203 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,680 In this case, it's the flow of the storm that's being affected by the changing jet 204 00:08:39,680 --> 00:08:40,680 streams. 205 00:08:40,680 --> 00:08:41,680 Precisely. 206 00:08:41,680 --> 00:08:43,840 And we can't forget about Jupiter's internal heat. 207 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:46,000 Yeah, that blew my mind when you first mentioned it. 208 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,840 It's like Jupiter has its own internal furnace. 209 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:49,840 It does. 210 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:56,160 And that internal heat creates massive convection currents within Jupiter's atmosphere. 211 00:08:56,160 --> 00:09:00,600 These currents can interact with storms like the great red spot, potentially contributing 212 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:05,040 to changes in the storm's dynamics, and it's shrinking as well. 213 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:11,760 Okay, so we've got external forces like colliding storms and shifting jet streams. 214 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:15,840 And then internal forces from Jupiter's own heat engine. 215 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:17,800 It sounds like a complex interplay of factors. 216 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:18,800 It is. 217 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:23,240 And to make things even more challenging, all of these factors are interconnected and 218 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,520 can influence each other. 219 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:30,960 So it's not just about understanding each factor in isolation, but also how they interact 220 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:31,960 as a whole. 221 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:34,800 I'm starting to see why this is such a puzzle for scientists. 222 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:35,920 It is. 223 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:39,580 So how are they going about trying to unravel all of this? 224 00:09:39,580 --> 00:09:41,720 What tools and techniques are they using? 225 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:44,360 Well, observation is key. 226 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:49,640 Scientists are using both ground-based telescopes and space-based observatories, like the Hubble 227 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:56,040 Space Telescope and the Juno spacecraft, to track changes in the great red spot's size, 228 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,920 shape, color, and wind speeds over time. 229 00:09:58,920 --> 00:09:59,920 Right. 230 00:09:59,920 --> 00:10:04,560 We talked about how Juno is providing incredibly detailed close-up views of the storm. 231 00:10:04,560 --> 00:10:05,560 It is. 232 00:10:05,560 --> 00:10:06,560 Yeah. 233 00:10:06,560 --> 00:10:09,840 Juno is equipped with a suite of instruments that allow it to peer beneath Jupiter's cloud 234 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:15,520 tops and study the great red spot in unprecedented detail. 235 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:17,760 It's giving us a 3D view of the storm. 236 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:22,880 It's revealing its depth, structure, and even the composition of its clouds. 237 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:25,520 It sounds like Juno is our eyes and ears on Jupiter. 238 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:26,520 It is. 239 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,440 Sending back a treasure trove of data about the great red spot. 240 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:30,440 Exactly. 241 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:31,440 That's great. 242 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:35,840 And in addition to observation, scientists are also developing sophisticated computer 243 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:37,600 models of Jupiter's atmosphere. 244 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:38,720 Oh, cool. 245 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:44,560 These models allow them to simulate the great red spot and explore different scenarios for 246 00:10:44,560 --> 00:10:45,780 its evolution. 247 00:10:45,780 --> 00:10:50,720 So they're creating virtual versions of the great red spot to test out different ideas 248 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:54,760 and see how various factors might be influencing its behavior. 249 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:55,760 Precisely. 250 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:56,760 I love that. 251 00:10:56,760 --> 00:11:00,640 By tweaking parameters in the model, such as the strength of the jet streams or the 252 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:05,920 amount of internal heat emanating from Jupiter, they can see how those changes affect the 253 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,080 storm's size, shape, and longevity. 254 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:10,600 It's like conducting virtual experiments on the great red spot. 255 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:11,600 It is. 256 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:14,140 What are some of the findings from these models and observations? 257 00:11:14,140 --> 00:11:19,520 One of the most remarkable discoveries from Juno's data is that the great red spot extends 258 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,920 much deeper into Jupiter's atmosphere than previously thought. 259 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:26,200 Wait, we already talked about the storm being 300 kilometers deep. 260 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:27,200 Yes. 261 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:28,200 How could it be deeper than that? 262 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:30,400 Are they saying it goes even further down? 263 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:36,240 The 300 kilometer depth was just an initial estimate based on early data from Juno. 264 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:37,240 Oh, OK. 265 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:41,440 As the mission has progressed and collected more data, scientists have realized that the 266 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:44,880 storm's influence extends even deeper into Jupiter's atmosphere. 267 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:46,480 Wow, that's amazing. 268 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:47,480 It is. 269 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,080 It really is like peeling back the layers of an onion, isn't it? 270 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:51,080 Fabulous. 271 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:53,240 Every layer we uncover reveals more complexity. 272 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:54,840 It is. 273 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:59,800 And these discoveries have broader implications for our understanding of planetary atmospheres 274 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:00,800 in general. 275 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:01,800 OK. 276 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,480 By studying the great red spot, we're learning about the processes that drive weather patterns 277 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:09,760 on gas giants, both within our own solar system and beyond. 278 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,680 So the great red spot isn't just a unique feature of Jupiter. 279 00:12:12,680 --> 00:12:13,680 No. 280 00:12:13,680 --> 00:12:17,960 It's a key to understanding the atmospheres of giant planets throughout the universe. 281 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:18,960 You got it. 282 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,660 And the more we learn about the great red spot, the more we realize how much there's 283 00:12:22,660 --> 00:12:24,200 still left to discover. 284 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:29,600 I can't wait to hear about some of those unanswered questions and future directions of research. 285 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:30,600 Absolutely. 286 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:34,760 But before we jump into that, let's take a quick break to let everything we've learned 287 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:36,240 so far sink in. 288 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:37,240 All right. 289 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:43,120 We'll be right back with more on Jupiter's great red spot. 290 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:45,400 Welcome back to Cosmos in a Pod. 291 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:50,480 We've been on quite a journey exploring Jupiter's great red spot, a storm that's equal parts 292 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:53,960 awe-inspiring and scientifically baffling. 293 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:57,800 It's a storm that continues to challenge our assumptions about planetary atmospheres 294 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:00,800 and push the boundaries of what we thought was possible. 295 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:05,200 And as we've dug deeper into its mysteries, we've uncovered a whole new set of questions 296 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,080 that are just begging to be answered. 297 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:08,080 Absolutely. 298 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,320 So let's dive into some of those lingering unknowns that are keeping scientists up at 299 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:12,320 night. 300 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:15,720 One of the biggest questions, of course, is the fate of the great red spot. 301 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,920 Will it continue to shrink and eventually vanish altogether? 302 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:20,640 Or will it reach a point of stability? 303 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:22,920 Yeah, that's the million dollar question, isn't it? 304 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:23,920 It is. 305 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:28,960 I mean, this storm has been raging for centuries, but it's been steadily shrinking for the past 306 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:30,720 hundred years or so. 307 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:33,560 It makes you wonder if it has a finite lifespan. 308 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:36,240 It's certainly a possibility. 309 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:40,980 And while scientists have made significant progress in understanding the factors that 310 00:13:40,980 --> 00:13:47,120 might be contributing to this shrinking, predicting its long term future is still a bit like trying 311 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:52,080 to predict the weather here on Earth, only on a much grander scale and over a much longer 312 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:53,080 time frame. 313 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,120 So it's like chaos theory applied to a planetary atmosphere. 314 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:57,120 Exactly. 315 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,920 There's too many variables to make accurate long term predictions. 316 00:13:59,920 --> 00:14:00,920 Right. 317 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,080 We're dealing with Jupiter's internal dynamics. 318 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:08,040 The complex interactions between the great red spot and other storms in its atmosphere, 319 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:12,360 the shifting jet streams and the influence of Jupiter's internal heat. 320 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:14,520 It's a tangled web of influences. 321 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:19,520 So even with all our advanced technology and scientific models, the future of the great 322 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:22,380 red spot is still shrouded in mystery. 323 00:14:22,380 --> 00:14:26,640 What are some of the scenarios that scientists are considering? 324 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:30,280 Is it a foregone conclusion that it will eventually disappear? 325 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:31,280 Not necessarily. 326 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:32,280 OK. 327 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:36,280 Some scientists believe that the great red spot could continue to shrink at its current 328 00:14:36,280 --> 00:14:41,200 rate and eventually dissipate completely within the next few decades. 329 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,720 That would indeed mark the end of an era. 330 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:48,400 It would be sad to see such an iconic feature of Jupiter fade away. 331 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:49,400 It would. 332 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:51,680 But you're saying there's still a chance it could hang on. 333 00:14:51,680 --> 00:14:52,680 There is. 334 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:57,840 Other scientists believe that the shrinking might slow down or even reverse at some point. 335 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:03,040 They point to the great red spot's remarkable resilience and its ability to adapt and survive 336 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:04,760 over centuries. 337 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,440 It's weathered a lot of changes in Jupiter's atmosphere. 338 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:11,880 So maybe it's not a case of if it will disappear, but when and how. 339 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:12,880 Right. 340 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:15,720 Are there any other possibilities besides it simply fading away? 341 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:16,720 Absolutely. 342 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:21,580 It's possible that the storm could reach a new equilibrium, a smaller but more stable 343 00:15:21,580 --> 00:15:25,440 state where the forces acting upon it balance out. 344 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:31,280 Or it could undergo a dramatic transformation, perhaps merging with another storm. 345 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:34,480 Or even splitting into multiple smaller storms. 346 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:35,480 Really? 347 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:38,600 We've seen similar things happen with hurricanes and cyclones on Earth. 348 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:39,920 That would be incredible to witness. 349 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:40,960 It would. 350 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:45,640 Imagine the great red spot breaking apart into a family of smaller red spots. 351 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:46,640 Right. 352 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,320 But I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the future holds. 353 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:49,320 We will. 354 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:51,600 Even if the great red spot does eventually disappear. 355 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:52,600 Yeah. 356 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:56,160 But imagine the knowledge we've gained from studying it will continue to be valuable. 357 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:57,160 Absolutely. 358 00:15:57,160 --> 00:15:58,920 The great red spot has been a scientific gift. 359 00:15:58,920 --> 00:15:59,920 Yeah. 360 00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:03,240 A natural laboratory that's allowed us to test our theories and push the boundaries 361 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,400 of our understanding of planetary atmospheres. 362 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:10,160 The insights we've gained will continue to shape our understanding of gas giants for 363 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:13,080 generations to come. 364 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaking of pushing boundaries, what are some of the other big unanswered questions about 365 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:22,800 the great red spot that scientists are still grappling with? 366 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,680 Besides its ultimate fate, what else are they trying to figure out? 367 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:30,560 Well, one of the most enduring mysteries is the exact mechanism behind the storm's iconic 368 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:31,560 red color. 369 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:32,560 Yeah. 370 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:36,400 We know it's likely due to the presence of certain chemicals in the atmosphere, like 371 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:39,040 ammonia, acetylene, and perhaps phosphine. 372 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:40,040 Okay. 373 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:44,680 These compounds react with sunlight in complex ways, but we still haven't pinned down the 374 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:48,000 exact recipe for that distinctive red hue. 375 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:52,640 It's amazing to me that something so visually striking is still a chemical puzzle. 376 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:53,640 It is. 377 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:54,960 You'd think we'd figure that out by now. 378 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:56,600 It's more complicated than it seems. 379 00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:01,240 The color has also varied over time, sometimes appearing more vibrant and other times fading 380 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:02,240 to a pale orange. 381 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:03,240 Yeah. 382 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:07,840 So there are likely multiple factors influencing the color, and those factors may change over 383 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:08,840 time. 384 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:09,840 So it's not just a static color. 385 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:10,840 Right. 386 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:13,680 It's dynamic and responsive to changes in the storm's chemistry and environment. 387 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:14,680 It is. 388 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:16,040 What about the storm's depth and structure? 389 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:19,960 We've talked about how deep it goes, but what's going on down there? 390 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:21,640 That's another area of active research. 391 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:22,640 Okay. 392 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:27,280 We know from Juno's data that the Great Red Spot is incredibly deep, but we're still trying 393 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,280 to unravel its internal dynamics. 394 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:30,280 Okay. 395 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:31,840 How are those layers of the storm interacting? 396 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:32,840 Right. 397 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:35,640 How are the winds generated and maintained? 398 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:39,000 How is energy distributed throughout its vast structure? 399 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:40,000 Yeah. 400 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:41,160 These are all open questions. 401 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,600 It sounds like we're still just scratching the surface of understanding what makes this 402 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:45,600 storm tick. 403 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:46,600 We are. 404 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:51,440 It's mind-boggling to think about the sheer power and complexity of something that looks 405 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:54,280 like a simple red dot from Earth. 406 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:55,520 It is humbling, isn't it? 407 00:17:55,520 --> 00:18:00,480 And it's a testament to human ingenuity that we're able to send spacecraft billions of 408 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,200 kilometers to study it in such detail. 409 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:04,200 Absolutely. 410 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:07,800 The Great Red Spot is a reminder that there's still so much out there to discover, even 411 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:10,020 within our own solar system. 412 00:18:10,020 --> 00:18:14,320 This has been an incredible journey, exploring the mysteries of Jupiter's Great Red Spot. 413 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:19,360 It's a storm that has captured the imagination of astronomers for centuries, and it continues 414 00:18:19,360 --> 00:18:21,940 to inspire awe and wonder today. 415 00:18:21,940 --> 00:18:26,840 It's a reminder of the vastness and complexity of our universe and the endless possibilities 416 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:28,920 for scientific exploration. 417 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:31,040 It's a story that's still being written. 418 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:32,040 Absolutely. 419 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:33,040 Yeah. 420 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,760 And who knows what the next chapter holds for the Great Red Spot? 421 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:40,120 Maybe it will continue to defy expectations and persist for centuries to come, or maybe 422 00:18:40,120 --> 00:18:44,840 it will undergo a dramatic transformation that reshapes our understanding of Jupiter's 423 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:45,840 atmosphere. 424 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:47,200 Only time will tell. 425 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:48,400 One thing's for sure. 426 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:53,040 The Great Red Spot will continue to captivate us and inspire us to push the boundaries of 427 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:54,200 our knowledge. 428 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:59,000 It's a symbol of the enduring power of curiosity and the thrill of discovery. 429 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,000 Well said. 430 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:04,080 And for all of you out there who share our fascination with space and astronomy, keep 431 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:08,240 looking up, keep asking questions, and never lose your sense of wonder. 432 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:12,480 And don't forget to subscribe to Cosmos in a Pod for more mind-expanding journeys through 433 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:13,480 the universe. 434 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:18,000 We've got a whole lineup of exciting episodes planned, covering everything from black holes 435 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,920 and distant galaxies to the search for life beyond Earth. 436 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:25,440 And be sure to check out our YouTube channel for stunning visuals and behind-the-scenes 437 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:29,240 content where we're constantly adding new videos and animations that bring the wonders 438 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:32,080 of space to life right before your eyes. 439 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:35,680 Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into Jupiter's Great Red Spot. 440 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:40,240 Until next time, keep exploring.