Fact Sheet
Collision Course?
The two largest storms on the planet Jupiter appear headed for a collision this summer. The large red oval in this Hubble Space Telescope image is known as "Red Junior." It's named after the Great Red Spot, which is partially visible at the far right edge. Red Junior, which is larger than Earth, has been around for several years, but it has intensified in the last year, turning from white to red. On its current course, it would run into the Great Red Spot, which is twice as wide, in early July. Scientists say that the Great Red Spot, which has been around since at least the 1800s, may deflect the smaller storm and cause it to weaken and return to its original white color. [Credit: NASA/ESA/A. Simon-Miller (GSFC)]
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