OK, so this is not Astronomical History in the making but rather a Science Fiction Scene created in our Studio. The concept was executed with some selective studio lighting, a picture of Jupiter, a glass pane suspended above the picture and selective placement of Dishwashing Soap. We used a Nikon D90 with a Nikkor 105mm f2.8 Macro lens mounted on a steady tripod and waited until the bubbles had burst and the soap began to flow – consuming this wonderful gaseous giant! Somewhat abstract, kinda cool! Now a bit about this planet before it gets eaten by the Blob!
Jupiter is perpetually covered with clouds composed of ammonia crystals and possibly ammonium hydrosulfide. The clouds are located in the tropopause and are arranged into bands of different latitudes, known as tropical regions. These are sub-divided into lighter-hued zones and darker belts. The interactions of these conflicting circulation patterns cause storms and turbulence. Wind speeds of 100 m/s (360 km/h) are common in zonal jets…perfect for extreme Sailboarding!
The orange and brown coloration in the clouds of Jupiter are caused by upwelling compounds that change color when they are exposed to ultraviolet light from the Sun. The exact makeup remains uncertain, but the substances are believed to be phosphorus, sulfur or possibly hydrocarbons.
The best known feature of Jupiter is the Great Red Spot, a persistent anticyclonic storm that is larger than Earth, located 22° south of the equator. It is known to have been in existence since at least 1831, and possibly since 1665. Mathematical Models suggest that the storm is stable and may be a permanent feature of the planet. The storm is large enough to be visible through Earth-based telescopes! Check it out before it The Blob has it for Dinner!