Atmospheric Storms

Part of Hall of the Universe.

Atmospheric storms_HERO AMNH/D. Finnin

Great atmospheric storms occur on all the gas giants. The rapid rotation of these planets stretches weather systems into zones that encircle them. High winds blow in opposite directions at the edges of the zones and feed energy into enormous rotating storms. Though they resemble Earth’s hurricanes, these storms are far more powerful and up to a hundred times larger.

A mass of black and white swirls and the words, “Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is a monstrous storm that has raged for at least three centuries. It is several times larger than the entire Earth.”

Atmospheres

Great atmospheric storms occur on all the gas giants. The rapid rotation of these planets stretches weather systems into zones that encircle them. High winds blow in opposite directions at the edges of the zones and feed energy into enormous rotating storms. Though they resemble Earth’s hurricanes, these storms are far more powerful and up to a hundred times larger.