James Webb Space Telescope spots jet stream on Jupiter stronger than a Category 5 hurricane

Researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have discovered a high-speed jet stream over Jupiter’s equator, previously unseen. This jet stream, which is over 3,000 miles wide and travels at about 320 mph, was spotted above the main cloud decks of Jupiter. The discovery was a surprise to the researchers and highlights that there is still much to learn about Jupiter’s atmosphere.

The newly discovered jet stream on Jupiter is moving at about twice the speed of a Category 5 hurricane on Earth. This discovery could provide valuable insights into Jupiter’s turbulent atmosphere. The images from the James Webb Space Telescope are helping researchers understand the dynamics of the skies of Jupiter. The planet is known for its extreme weather, including the Great Red Spot, a massive storm that is visible from Earth.

The researchers are now interested in comparing what they have observed in Jupiter’s high-altitude atmospheric layers with what the Hubble Space Telescope has seen in deeper layers. This comparison could help understand how wind speeds on Jupiter change with altitude and generate what are known as “wind shears”. The jet stream is located about 25 miles above the planet’s cloud tops, and if lower winds exhibit much lower speeds, wind shears are likely the result.

The researchers also noted a complicated but repeatable pattern of winds and temperatures in Jupiter’s equatorial stratosphere. If the strength of the new jet is connected to this oscillating stratospheric pattern, the jet might vary considerably over the next two to four years. The team is excited to test this theory in the coming years. The findings have been published in the journal Nature Astronomy.