• Question: Why is Jupiter different colours?

    Asked by superjess to Charlotte, Dhvanil, Frank, Jim, Leila on 11 Mar 2013.
    • Photo: Jim O Doherty

      Jim O Doherty answered on 11 Mar 2013:

      Its due to the winds blowing the different types of gases in different directions, some of the gases are heavier than others (they have different chemicals in them) so that causes different “layers” of clouds, which we see as different colours.

    • Photo: Dhvanil Karia

      Dhvanil Karia answered on 11 Mar 2013:

      Colours of a planet as seen from space are contributed by various factors. These include the terrain on the planet, clouds, storms, water bodies and vegetation.

      Jupiter has the largest planetary atmosphere in the Solar System, spanning over 5000 km in altitude. It is perpetually covered with clouds composed of ammonia crystals and possibly ammonium hydrosulfide. The clouds are located in the tropopause and are arranged into bands of different latitudes, known as tropical regions. These are sub-divided into lighter-hued zones and darker belts. The orange and brown coloration in the clouds of Jupiter are caused by upwelling compounds that change color when they are exposed to ultraviolet light from the Sun. The exact makeup remains uncertain, but the substances are believed to be phosphorus, sulfur or possibly hydrocarbons.These colorful compounds, known as chromophores, mix with the warmer, lower deck of clouds. The zones are formed when rising convection cells form crystallizing ammonia that masks out these lower clouds from view. You can refer to an image of Jupiter at the following link

      http://systemesolaire.unblog.fr/?#

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