Can a storm on Saturn last as long as one on Earth?
On Saturn, it may be a very long wait for the calm after a storm. As big and destructive as hurricanes on Earth can be, at least they don’t last long. Not like those on Saturn, where storms may rage for months or years. Viewed from space, hurricanes on Earth and the huge atmospheric disturbances observed on Saturn look similar.
How is the jet stream faster on Saturn than on Earth?
“The jet stream on Saturn blows ten times faster than on Earth, up to a thousand miles per hour.” Saturn’s winds are like conveyor belts between which storms appear to roll like ball bearings, he explains. “While we don’t know the wind speeds within the storms, a good guess is that they are slower than the winds in the jet stream.”
How often do great white spots on Saturn occur?
Such a planet-encircling storm occurs every 30 years on Saturn. Giant storms on Saturn known as “Great White Spots” may be caused by moisture in the planet’s atmosphere, researchers say. The titanic Saturn storms, which stretch across the planet, have erupted on the planet six times since they were first discovered in 1876.
Where does the energy for Saturn’s storms come from?
The fuel for Saturn’s storms is quite different. The interior of the planet acts like an ocean and stores energy, but the energy does not come from the sun. “Saturn makes it own heat, which it got when the pieces that made the planet crashed together during the violent history of the early solar system,” says Ingersoll.
Why is there a polygonal storm on Saturn?
A new model of Saturn’s atmosphere might finally explain how a bizarrely shaped storm developed there. The model produced a polygonal storm system similar, but not identical to, that observed on Saturn. The findings may shed light on the formation of the solar system.
Is there going to be a new storm on Saturn?
Note how quiet Saturn is most of the time; at some point during the 2030s, a new storm is expected to awaken. Unfortunately, the Cassini mission ended, and won’t be there to observe it. Mostly Mute Monday tells an astronomical story in images, visuals, and no more than 200 words.
How big is the storm on Saturn in km?
First noticed in the 1980s by the passing Voyager spacecraft and later observed by the Cassini–Huygens mission, the storm is an estimated 29,000 km (18,000 mi) wide with sides 2,000 km (1,200 mi) longer than the diameter of the Earth.
How long does it take for Saturn to return to Earth?
The Saturn return takes about 27 to 29 years to circle your chart and lasts for two to three years—which explains why you feel like your entire life is about to change the second you blow out