Jupiter Gets New Red Spot

saskboy writes "The planet Jupiter is growing a new red spot. Jupiter is already well known for its Great Red Spot storm which is visible through modest backyard telescopes, so it will be interesting if this newer spot sticks around and grows. From the article: 'The official name of this storm is Oval BA, but Red Jr. might be better. It's about half the size of the famous Great Red Spot and almost exactly the same color. Oval BA first appeared in the year 2000 when three smaller spots collided and merged. A similar merger centuries ago may have created the original Great Red Spot, a storm twice as wide as our planet and at least 300 years old.'"

Nothing new to astronomers

[BadAnalogyGuy]

So the huge pie-faced planet gets another zit... Maybe it should cut back on the Doritos and Mountain Dew.

The Domino Theory Confirmed!

[Nova Express]

First one communist spot appears. Now, 300 years later, another one! At this rate, all of Jupiter will be communist in less than 40,000 years.

It's up to us to rescue them. Thinking of the millions of innocent Jovians rotting away in their oppressive gaseous Gulags...

GW

[addaon]

Just try to deny global warming now, Republicans! We have proof!

...and just before the big date with Venus

[DoctorHibbert]

It was funny in my head.

Is it ill?

[roman_mir]

Is Jupiter too old to have a case of measles?

I'll be waiting...

[Biomechanical]

...To hear that the red spot has started going black, and then I'll just sit and smile when all the hardcore rightwing religious nuts freak out at a second sun soon after. :)

A boy can dream...

It's time for the Sun...

[brian0918]

It's time for the Sun to sit down and have the old birds/bees chat with Jupiter. The planet will start going through some big changes these next few millenia. The fraction of helium in the atmosphere will drop significantly. Its albedo will grow wildly. New rings will start appearing at odd angles. It's nothing to be ashamed of... all gas giants go through this phase of development.

Oh no!

[clockmaker]

The monoliths [imdb.com] are multiplying!

Advice:

[Quaoar]

I wouldn't hang out with Jupiter for a while...it's "that time" of the millennium, and its a little cranky...

I'm betting it is herpes

[SensitiveMale]

After all, he is right next to that slut Saturn.

Obligatory Chicago comment

[gbobeck]

"...a storm twice as wide as our planet and at least 300 years old."

Sounds like the typical Chicago winter...

Re:...and just before the big date with Venus

[Clueless Nick]

Jupiter doesn't go on dates. He just runs away with them. Ask Europa.

Re:Advice:

[jrockway]

True, but do you really want to hang out with a "gas giant"? I think not.

Re:Nothing new to astronomers

[outsourced]

must be global warming. those jupiterians should really stop driving SUVs and using aerosol cans.

And...

[danwesnor]

Meanwhile, back at home, Earth scientists are busy building plausible explanations as to how fossil fuel loving Republicans are behind this major environmental ship on our solar system's largest planet.

Re:I'll be waiting...

[sharkey]

Nah, that just means that Mick and the boys have moved on to a new venue.

"I see a Red Spot and I want to paint it black..."

Re:Global Warming?

[SnarfQuest]

Now, Jupiter has this new storm that's beginning to rival the classic Red Spot. Is this more sign of a warming solar trend?

It's those two damn SUV's that NASA has running around Mars! Everyone who watches TV knows that SUV's are the only thing that can cause Global Warming! They are exporting our Global Warming to Mars!