Cycles of activity in the Jovian atmosphere

Abstract

Jupiter's banded appearance may appear unchanging to the casual observer, but closer inspection reveals a dynamic, ever-changing system of belts and zones with distinct cycles of activity. Identification of these long-term cycles requires access to data sets spanning multiple Jovian years, but explaining them requires multispectral characterization of the thermal, chemical, and aerosol changes associated with visible color variations. The Earth-based support campaign for Juno's exploration of Jupiter has already characterized two upheaval events in the equatorial and temperate belts that are part of long-term Jovian cycles, whose underlying sources could be revealed by Juno's exploration of Jupiter's deep atmosphere.