2024 November 19
Outbreak of activity in Jupiter’s South Equatorial Belt
With Jupiter’s opposition coming up soon on Dec.7, at its highest declination for 11 years, observers may be pleased to know that activity on the planet is increasing. On Nov.11, a small, brilliant white spot in the South Equatorial Belt (SEB) initiated a new ‘mid-SEB outbreak’, which is expected to be impressive over the coming weeks and months. The first spot has already been succeeded by a second one, and there will be more such spots, arising at or near the original source (longitude L2 = 328, L3 = 105). The bright spots are believed to be giant thunderstorms, and they will successively expand and drift eastwards (i.e. to lower longitude), creating a lengthening disturbance along the belt.
The attached image by Damian Peach shows the outbreak on Nov.16 (just below centre; north is up). The Jupiter Section has posted a short report illustrating the first two days of this outbreak (Jupiter in 2024/25; Report no.2*), giving a link to the previous one in 2016-17, and presenting maps and descriptions of other recent developments on the planet. Observers are encouraged to record this outbreak and email images or drawings to the Section Director.
*Report no.2 is at: https://britastro.org/section_information_/jupiter-section-overview/jupiter-in-2024-25/report-no-2-seb-outbreak-etc
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