CHANGES ON JUPITER

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 33, 7 August 1936, Page 18

CHANGES ON JUPITER

THE GIANT PLANET

The various changes which ' have ■been observed to take place on the | surface of the giant planet Jupiter were discussed by Mr. F. M. Bateson F.R.A.ST, when he addressed members of the Astronomical Section of the Wellington . Philosophical Society last night. He pointed out that our present state of knowledge concerning Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, is due mainly to the work of amateur astronomers throughout the jworld. These amateurs have .consistently observed the planet with'the result that it is now known that fairly regular variations take place .in the colour and width of the various belts I that cross the disc of the planet. These belta are clouds lying parallel to the equator and owing to the rapid rotation of the disc are forced into definite areas separated by brighter regions known as zones. The lecturer dealt with the investigations that have been made into the changes that have taken place in the visual aspect of the planet. It has been found that the Equatorial Zone gradually increases and decreases in redness over a period of years with the result that at various times the markings visual in this region become very prominent whilst at others they become very difficult to detect. In the case of the two equatorial belts of the planet it has been found that the intensity of the redness varies in 12 5 years in such a,way that when the northern belt is brightest the southern equatorial belt is at its minimum. No satisfactory explanation of the causes underlying these changes in the atmosphere of Jupiter has yet been advanced by astronomers.

The lecturer illustrated his talk with many very interesting drawings of the •planet made over.the past few years by himself and Mr. R. A. Mclntosh, F.R.A.S. .

When i the. lecture was over, the comet claimed the attention of all those who were present.