![]() ![]() ![]() Ī minor mystery concerns a Jovian spot depicted in a 1711 canvas by Donato Creti, which is exhibited in the Vatican. The older spot's shorter observational history and slower motion than the modern spot makes it difficult to conclude that they are the same. With fluctuations in visibility, Cassini's spot was observed from 1665 to 1713, but the 118-year observational gap makes the identity of the two spots inconclusive. Far more convincing is Giovanni Cassini's description of a "permanent spot" the following year. However, it is likely that Hooke's spot was not only in another belt altogether (the North Equatorial Belt, as opposed to the current Great Red Spot's location in the South Equatorial Belt), but also that it was in the shadow of a transiting moon, most likely Callisto. The first sighting of the Great Red Spot is often credited to Robert Hooke, who described a spot on the planet in May 1664. Whether the original spot dissipated and reformed, whether it faded, or if the observational record was simply poor is unknown. A long gap separates its period of current study after 1830 from its 17th century discovery. The storm that was seen in the 17th century may have been different from the storm that exists today. The Great Red Spot may have existed before 1665, but it could be that the present spot was first seen only in 1830, and was well studied only after a prominent appearance in 1879. Observation history First observations Donato Creti's 1711 painting "Jupiter", the first depiction of the Great Red Spot as red A sketch of Jupiter made by Thomas Gwyn Elger in November 1881, showing the Great Red Spot It was next observed in September 1831, with 60 recorded observations between then and 1878, when continuous observations began. Observations from 1665 to 1713 are believed to be of the same storm if this is correct, it has existed for at least 358 years. Located 22 degrees south of Jupiter's equator, it produces wind-speeds up to 432 km/h (268 mph). It is the most recognizable feature on Jupiter, owing to its red-orange color whose origin is still unknown. The Great Red Spot is a persistent high-pressure region in the atmosphere of Jupiter, producing an anticyclonic storm that is the largest in the Solar System. Persistent storm in Jupiter's atmosphere Close up view of the Great Red Spot by Juno
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