For the first time, scientists have observed the outer planets of our solar system – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune – like never before over a decade-long period using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy program (OPAL) has been obtaining detailed views of these gas giants’ weather patterns and seasons since 2013.
Hubble is capable of viewing wavelengths from ultraviolet to near-infrared light, allowing it to take high-resolution images of the planets once a year. With ten years of data behind them, scientists will present their findings on the long-term changes in the skies of these outer planets at an upcoming American Geophysical Union meeting.
The study found notable changes in Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, Saturn’s ring color and cloud depth, Uranus’ northern hemisphere brightness, and Neptune’s storm behavior. These observations have been made possible by OPAL’s longevity, allowing for serendipitous discoveries and tracking long-term atmospheric changes as the planets orbit the sun.
The data has also led to 60 publications, showcasing the scientific value of these findings. The research highlights the importance of continued monitoring of our solar system’s outer planets using advanced telescopes like Hubble.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/hubble-space-telescope/10-years-of-hubble-telescope-images-show-dramatic-changes-in-weather-on-saturn-jupiter-uranus-and-neptune