In 1664, English scientist Robert Hooke observed a giant dark spot on Jupiter, which he named the “Permanent Spot.” However, it is believed that Italian astronomer Giovanni Cassini might have discovered it a year earlier in 1665. Despite this dispute, the spot was lost from astronomers’ sight for centuries until its rediscovery in 1831. This discovery led to the formation of what we now know as the Great Red Spot.
Recent studies suggest that the Great Red Spot may be a newer and younger storm than the original “Permanent Spot.” The longevity of the Great Red Spot has been estimated to be over 190 years, but this is not consistent with Cassini’s observations. Agustín Sánchez-Lavega, a planetary scientist at the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, Spain, led a research study that sought to understand how the vortex formed and its potential lifespan.
The team used computer simulations to analyze changes in the Great Red Spot over time. The leading theory suggests that wind instability led to its formation and elongated atmospheric cell structure seen today. The size of the Great Red Spot has decreased from 24,200 miles long to 8,700 miles long over time. Further simulations will be conducted to predict its fate and whether it will disappear like Cassini’s “Permanent Spot” or possibly reappear as a new vortex centuries later.
The research findings were published on June 16 in Geophysical Research Letters, shedding new light on the origin and evolution of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. While some researchers believe that it is not entirely consistent with Cassini’s observations, Sánchez-Lavega and his colleagues argue that further investigation is needed to fully understand this fascinating celestial phenomenon.