Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Is Shrinking

Anyone who’s seen a picture of Jupiter has stared — for more than a few seconds — at that giant, massive red splotch in the planet’s southern hemisphere. It’s the bloodshot eye of a violent storm bigger than Earth that’s been raging for centuries.

the Great Red Spot is the smallest it’s ever been

Amy Simon

That’s less than half of historical measurements.

In the 1800s, astronomers estimated the spot was about 25,000 miles wide. But since the 1930s, observations have suggested it’s getting smaller. Voyager 1 and 2 fly-bys in the late 1970s placed the squinty spot at just 14,500 miles across — or the equivalent of two Earths (Earth’s diameter measures 7,918 miles wide). But the splotch has gotten even smaller. In

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet