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24m ago
Stunning new Saturn images reveal hidden motion beneath the clouds
- Two space telescopes used infrared and visible light to image Saturn, revealing layered atmospheric motion.
- Webb images expose the 'ribbon wave' and a long-lived storm trace linked to the 2010–2012 Great Springtime Storm.
- The observations show a six-sided jet stream at Saturn’s north pole that has remained stable for decades.
- The pole is headed into winter and will be dark for about 15 years, delaying future clear views of the hexagon.
- Infrared data highlight particles high in Saturn’s atmosphere and potential auroras connected to the planet’s magnetic field.
- Saturn’s rings appear differently in infrared and visible light, helping map their composition and changes over time.
- Hubble and Webb provide a long-term record of Saturn’s weather, forming a broader picture of its evolution.
- The study emphasizes Saturn as a natural lab for understanding fluid dynamics under extreme conditions.
- The article notes the collaboration involves NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and researchers like Amy Simon and Michael Wong.
- The report highlights that this may be the last clear look at the hexagon for years due to changing seasons.
- Earth-based readers are invited to subscribe for ongoing updates and related Earth News content.
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