Jupiter's Atmosphere

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• mostly H, He
• clouds of ammonia (NH₃), methane (CH₄), ammonia hydrosulfide (NH₄HS)

Structure:

• Horizontal stripes: due to convection
• Bright zones: upwellings of gas, we see the colder upper layer
• Dark bands: downdrafts, darker inner layers.
• Jet streams (300 km/h) in opposite directions cause shear

• Ovals: turbulent eddies -- cyclonic storms!
• the Great Red Spot (semi-permanent feature - 3 Earths would fit inside)
• many white ovals (smaller)
Jupiter in Action
More Jupiter in Action