Author: The Cyprus Planetarium
Published Date: 17/01/2025

This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image shows the planet Jupiter in a colour composite of ultraviolet wavelengths. Released on Nov. 3, 2023, in honour of Jupiter reaching opposition, which occurs when the planet and the Sun are in opposite sides of the sky, this view of the gas giant planet includes the iconic, massive storm called the “Great Red Spot.” Though the storm appears red to the human eye, in this ultraviolet image it appears darker because high altitude haze particles absorb light at these wavelengths. The reddish, wavy polar hazes are absorbing slightly less of this light due to differences in either particle size, composition, or altitude.

source: NASA / author: Monika Luabeya
Image credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Wong (University of California – Berkeley); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)