Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/06/is-jupiters-iconic-red-spot-the-same-one-that-cassini-observed-in-the-1600s/

Jupiter's Red Spot: A Long-Lasting Storm

Jupiter's iconic Great Red Spot, a swirling storm larger than Earth, has fascinated astronomers for centuries. While its existence has been known since the 1600s, scientists have been debating whether the spot observed today is the same one Cassini saw over 350 years ago. New research suggests that the storm likely formed around 350 years ago, coinciding with Cassini's observations. The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, analyzed historical observations and combined them with simulations of Jupiter's atmosphere. These simulations showed that a powerful storm, like the Great Red Spot, can be maintained for centuries, even as it shrinks and changes shape. The researchers argue that the current Great Red Spot is likely the direct descendant of the storm observed by Cassini, representing a continuous atmospheric phenomenon lasting for over three centuries.

Summary

"The research provides strong evidence that Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a long-lasting storm, potentially the same one observed by Cassini in the 1600s. This finding highlights the dynamic nature of Jupiter's atmosphere and the ability of powerful storms to persist for extended periods."

Updated at: 06.26.2024