Jupiter's Atmosphere

Jupiter's atmosphere is a churning laboratory of extreme weather. Bands of clouds made of ammonia ice, ammonium hydrosulfide, and water stretch around the planet, driven by powerful jet streams. Lightning bolts far stronger than Earth's flash in the depths.

The Great Red Spot has been shrinking for over a century. Once wide enough to fit three Earths across, it has narrowed to about 1.3 Earths. Scientists debate whether it will eventually dissipate or settle at a smaller size.