Jupiter •

Neptune`s Dark Spot

an image of Neptune and one of the Earth

The first vortex was observed in 1989 when the Voyager 2 flew by Neptune.

Even though planetary astronomers have already noticed Neptune`s dark spot in the past, this phenomenon still raises many questions. The first vortex was observed in 1989 when the Voyager 2 flew by Neptune. This space probe was launched in 1977, and ever since it helped researchers gather valuable information about planets such as Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, and Saturn.

At this moment, it has already left the solar system, and it`s one of the most distant human-made objects in the entire Universe.

The second time scientists observed Neptune`s dark spot was in 1994. With the help of Hubble Space Telescope, an optical device launched into Earth`s orbit in 1990, experts noted the existence of this phenomenon once more.

However, this is the first time the dark vortex is observed in the 21st century. The images were taken by NASA`s HST (Hubble Space Telescope) on the 16th of May, 2016. The following day, the discovery was revealed to the public.

The Neptune`s dark spot, also known as the Great Dark Spot, was compared on many occasions with Jupiter`s Great Red Spot. Both phenomena are similar in the sense that they represent anticyclonic storms. However, unlike the red spot noticed on the surface of Jupiter, which has lasted for hundreds and hundreds of years, this one appears to have a shorter lifespan.

Scientists assume that the lifetime of such a spot is limited to only a few years. Following several measurements, experts estimate that the winds around this vortex blow up with a speed of 2,400 kilometers an hour. According to the data gathered so far, these are the fastest winds in the solar system.

Another particularity of the dark vortex is represented by the bright companion clouds formed around the spot. Mike Wong, the researcher who led the team that investigated the phenomenon, compared Neptune`s white clouds with the orographic clouds on Earth, which we can observe above the picks of mountains, and distinguish them due to their conical shape.

However, while the clouds on Earth are made of ice crystals, Neptune`s are made of frozen methane.

Scientists hope to study this phenomenon further in order to understand exactly how it`s formed, what are the atmospheric conditions that favor its appearance and also how it eventually dissipates.

Image source: Wikipedia

The Mission of Juno on Jupiter

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The mission of Juno on Jupiter is less than a month away from its start

After being launched in August 2011, the mission of Juno on Jupiter is less than a month away from its start. The spacecraft is due to reach its final destination on July 4^th.

The primary purpose of the mission of Juno on Jupiter is to gather relevant data about the planet, its atmosphere and the way it was formed. Since Jupiter is one of the oldest planets in our Solar System, such information will provide significant insight into the way our solar system came to life.

The mission of Juno on Jupiter will be closely related to the understanding of the planet`s composition and evolution since its birth. Scientists believe this planet has a similar composition to the Sun. One of the NASA experts in charge of the project made an official statement, which explains it:

“Like the sun, Jupiter is mostly hydrogen and helium, so it must have formed early, capturing most of the material left after our star came to be,”

So due to its age, all the information gathered will shed light on other aspects that will help explain vital parts in the Solar System`s genesis.

At this moment, the spacecraft is 24 days away from its final destination. Traveling at a speed of 4 miles per second, Juno is 11.1 million miles away from Jupiter. Its mission will be to establish how much water Jupiter`s atmosphere contains. The composition of the planet and its temperature will also be studied. Another important part is to analyze the magnetic field and gravity forces on Jupiter.

However, according to NASA experts, the hardest part of this trip to Jupiter is yet to come. The closer the spacecraft gets to Jupiter, the higher the gravitational forces pulling Juno towards the planet will become. Therefore, the most complicated part will be a high-speed maneuver to stabilise the spaceship on Jupiter`s orbit, as Scott Bolton from Southwest Research Institute explains:

“Jupiter’s gravity is tugging at us harder every day and by the time we arrive, we’ll be accelerated to 10 times the regular speed — more than 40 miles per second (nearly 70 kilometers per second) — by the time our rocket engine puts on the brakes to get us into orbit.”.

And the challenges awaiting Juno do not end here. Once it reaches its destination, the spacecraft will orbit the planet for two years. NASA experts say that the information will open the way to new missions that will be able to incorporate the data in order to get closer to the planets of our solar system and observe them thoroughly.

Image source: Pixabay

Best Chance to See the Planetary Alignment Is before Dawn

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The planetary alignment of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – which began on January 20 – can still be seen in the sky, especially just before dawn, experts say.

Last time the five planets were visible to the naked eye was a decade ago, in 2005. In the first two weeks of February, when planet Mercury will be higher and more visible than in the previous month, the rare planetary alignment will be at its prime.

Arvind Paranjpye, director of Nehru Planetarium in India, said that currently all the planets are visible in pre-dawn sky, except for Mercury. In the first week of February, Mercury will also become visible, he added.

The five planets will be visible until February 20. However, the morning of February 5 will be the best time to spot the alignment, according to astronomers.

The best time to see the planetary alignment is right before dawn. As soon as the Sun rises, it will become too bright to spot the five planets, experts say.

Of the five planets, Jupiter will be the first to rise, followed by Mars. The Red Planet (Mars) can be easily seen thanks to its reddish colour and brightness; it will be located between Antares (brightest star in the constellation Scorpius) and Spica (brightest star in the constellation Virgo).

Saturn will be the third planet to rise northeast of Antares; Saturn will be shining brighter than the Red Planet. Venus will be located in the south-eastern sky. The planet’s brightness in the night sky will make it easy to see. The fifth planet to rise will be Mercury – it will be quite low in the south-eastern sky.

When viewing the planetary alignment, people should have a south-eastern view, away from any tall buildings or trees that could obstruct their view.

Venus, the brightest of the five planets, will be situated quite low above the horizon. You can spot Mercury to the lower left of Venus. The remaining three planets will be located in the upper right area from Venus. The first one will be Saturn, followed by Mars and finally Jupiter.

Jason Kendall, on the board of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York, said that when you slowly pass your thumb over a bright dot in the sky, and it quickly blinks out, then it is a distant star. However, if the dot slowly dims out, then it is a planet.

The five planets will align again in August 2016. After that, the planetary alignment will not appear in the sky until October 2018.

Image Source: hulldailymail

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