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New Study Reveals Why Jupiter's Great Red Spot Is Shrinking

Research indicates a decline in smaller storms feeding the anticyclonic system is causing the iconic spot to contract.

  • The Great Red Spot has been shrinking for nearly a century, with significant reductions over the past 50 years.
  • A team from Yale, North Carolina State University, and the University of Louisville conducted 3D simulations to understand the phenomenon.
  • Their findings suggest that smaller storms play a crucial role in sustaining the Great Red Spot's size and strength.
  • The study draws parallels between Jupiter's Great Red Spot and Earth's heat domes, highlighting similar atmospheric interactions.
  • Further modeling could provide more insights into the initial formation and long-term behavior of the Great Red Spot.
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