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Geometric clusters of cyclones churn over Jupiter's poles

Jupiter's poles are blanketed by geometric clusters of cyclones and its atmosphere is deeper than scientists suspected.
In this composite image, derived from data collected board NASA's Juno mission to Jupiter, shows the central cyclone at the planet's north pole and the eight cyclones that encircle it. (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/ASI/INAF/JIRAM)

These are just some of the latest findings by four international research teams, based on observations by NASA's Juno spacecraft circling Jupiter.

The scientists reported Wednesday there's a constellation of nine cyclones over Jupiter's north pole and six over the south pole. They're puzzled that the massive storms don't seem to change position much or merge. They also didn't expect the cyclones to be so close together and so symmetrical.

Another study in this week's journal Nature finds that Jupiter's jet streams actually penetrate far beneath the visible cloud tops.

Juno has been orbiting our solar system's biggest planet since 2016.

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