Recent research suggests the age of the Great Red Spot – the huge anticyclone vortex in Jupiter’s atmosphere – formed about 190 years ago. Scientists base this on historical measurements of the storm’s size and motion.
Although the Great Red Spot was first reported by Giovanni Cassini in 1665, and was subsequently observed by many astronomers, there are no reports of a sighting between 1713 and 1831.
As such it’s unlikely that Cassini’s spot is the same one we observe today, which goes to show just how dynamic Jupiter’s atmosphere can be.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Helen Marriott, via email) 'How old is Jupiter's Great Red Spot, really?'
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