Holy disappearing belts, Batman! It turns out that one of Jupiter's major features — its South Equatorial Belt (south is at the top in the photos below) — is gone. Why? Astronomers have no idea, but theorize that intense storm activity is hiding it. They also have no idea how long the belt will remain invisible.


Click the image to see the story.

What a disappointment for astronomers: This is a particularly beautiful feature to observe in a telescope. On the other hand, seeing the newly nekkid world is a rare treat. Because this isn't the first time this has happened, scientists expect the South Equatorial Belt to return one day. Still, in the immortal words of Keanau Reeves, "Whoah."

Chris
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From: [identity profile] xjenavivex.livejournal.com


I read about this yesterday. Thank you for the pictures. I can't believe it's "gone." I sent you a message on LJ.

From: [identity profile] mckitterick.livejournal.com


Isn't it wild?

Not sure what message you mean - a comment to a different post?

From: [identity profile] xjenavivex.livejournal.com


No. You know how users can send other users private messages that go to their inboxes? That's what I sent.

From: [identity profile] mckitterick.livejournal.com


Huh! Didn't realize I had a special email inbox on LJ! I'll look....

From: [identity profile] minnehaha.livejournal.com


What earthy (har) good is it to put south end up in those pictures?

K.

From: [identity profile] mckitterick.livejournal.com


That's just how optics make it look! Some places modify the images to swap how things would look in person, but looks like NASA didn't! Maybe it's to show us how it would look in a telescope.

From: [identity profile] tully01.livejournal.com


The belt is missing, but speculation is that it still has suspenders.

From: [identity profile] mckitterick.livejournal.com


I'd never thought of Jupiter as a belt-and-suspenders planet, but there you go.
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