The central region of the Great Red Spot is relatively quiescent and shows little change over this time period. The direction and velocity of Jupiter's winds are determined by measuring the displacements of cloud features in images such as these. Several competing theories seek to explain the existence and stability of Jovian atmospheric features, including the Great Red Spot. Wind measurements from Galileo images will help distinguish between competing theories. While at first glance the Great Red Spot appears similar to a terrestrial hurricane or mid-latitude storm, its enormous size and the lack of a solid surface on Jupiter complicate such comparisons.
North is to the top in both frames.
Each pixel subtends a square about 30 kilometers on a side. The images were obtained on June 26th, 1996. Turbulent region west of Jupiter's Great Red Spot. This four image mosaic shows the Great Red Spot on Jupiter's eastern edge or limb. The images have been re-projected onto a square grid of latitude and longitude lines.