# Jupiter (DD-129)

> The Great Red Spot is a giant anticyclone in Jupiter's southern hemisphere, wider than Earth though it has been shrinking. It has been observed continuously since 1878, with records back to 1831. A similar spot was seen from 1665 to 1713; if it was the same storm, it would be over 350 years old, but a 2024 study suggested it wasn't. Jupiter also has the strongest planetary magnetic field in the solar system, which traps intense radiation belts that spacecraft must be shielded against. The footage shows renderings and images of Jupiter, with the presenter.

- Department: Space
- First published: 2023-12-19
- Last updated: 2023-12-19
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/jupiter/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1831**: The earliest record of the current Great Red Spot
- **1878**: Continuous observation of the spot begins

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=jupiter

## Quick facts

- **DD-129-F01**: The Great Red Spot is a giant anticyclone. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Anticyclone))_
- **DD-129-F02**: It's wider than Earth, though shrinking. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Wider than Earth))_

## Write-up

Jupiter's Great Red Spot is wider than Earth. It has been watched continuously since 1878.

1. **Anticyclone**: The Great Red Spot is a giant anticyclone.
2. **Wider than Earth**: It's wider than Earth, though shrinking.
3. **Since 1831**: Records go back to 1831; continuous since 1878.
4. **1665 question**: A 1665 spot may not be the same storm.
5. **Radiation belts**: Jupiter's magnetic field traps intense radiation.

## Related case files

- [Neptune (DD-126)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/neptune/): I paired it with Neptune's storms
- [Earth (DD-131)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/earth/): I linked a planet the Great Red Spot is wider than
- [Saturn (DD-128)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/saturn/): I paired it with the other gas giant

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Raging for at least 350 years': that assumes the spot seen in 1665 is the same storm. A 2024 study suggests it isn't, so the firm record is since 1831.

## Video: Jupiter: Jupiter's Great Red Spot Is Wider Than Earth

- Duration: 28.4 s · Published: 2023-12-19
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C1Cfy-pOetO.mp4

### Transcript

Jupiter the largest planet in our solar system has a remarkable feature known as the Great Red Spot. DID YOU KNOW? This enormous storm has been raging for at least 350 years making it one of the longest lasting storms in the solar system. The Great Red Spot is so massive that it could engulf earth several times over. Despite being a storm its exact mechanism and the reason for its long duration remain areas of scientific interest and study. Jupiter's strong magnetic field also creates intense radiation belts, making it challenging for spacecraft to explore its vicinity. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What is the Great Red Spot?**  
A: A giant storm. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Anticyclone) · Wikipedia: Great Red Spot)_

**Q: How big is it?**  
A: Though shrinking. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Wider than Earth) · Wikipedia: Great Red Spot)_

**Q: Since when has it been observed continuously?**  
A: With records back to 1831. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Since 1831) · Wikipedia: Great Red Spot)_

**Q: Is the 1665 spot surely the same storm?**  
A: A 2024 study suggests not. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (1665 question) · Wikipedia: Great Red Spot)_

**Q: What makes Jupiter hard on spacecraft?**  
A: From its magnetic field. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Radiation belts) · Wikipedia: Magnetosphere of Jupiter)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Great Red Spot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Red_Spot)
- [Wikipedia: Magnetosphere of Jupiter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetosphere_of_Jupiter)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Jupiter." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-129, last updated Dec 19, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/jupiter/