On November 3, 2023, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope released an image of Jupiter taken during its opposition, when the planet and the sun are positioned on opposite sides of the sky. This striking color composite showcases the gas giant, highlighting its iconic storm, the Great Red Spot.
In this ultraviolet view, the Great Red Spot appears darker than its usual red hue due to the absorption of light by high-altitude haze particles present in Jupiter's atmosphere. The polar regions exhibit reddish, wavy hazes that absorb slightly less light, suggesting variations in particle size, composition, or altitude.
This observation not only enhances our understanding of Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics but also underscores the capabilities of Hubble in studying distant celestial bodies. Such insights contribute to the broader knowledge of gas giants and their complex weather systems.