Polar storm circle in visible. (Image: NASA)
Science
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Moneycontrol20-01-2026, 18:21

Jupiter and Saturn's Polar Storms Unveil Hidden Planetary Secrets

  • New research reveals that the distinct polar storm patterns on Jupiter and Saturn offer clues about their deep internal structures.
  • Saturn features a single massive storm at each pole, while Jupiter's central storm is encircled by multiple smaller vortices.
  • This difference, despite similar size and composition, has puzzled scientists for decades, prompting a study by an MIT research team.
  • The storms are formed by internal heat rising through gas layers and rapid planetary rotation creating Coriolis forces.
  • Jupiter's multi-storm clusters suggest a softer, turbulent interior, whereas Saturn's single storms indicate a denser, more stable internal layer.

Why It Matters: Polar storms on Jupiter and Saturn act as surface fingerprints, revealing the hidden dynamics of their interiors.

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