9.10.2011

GREAT RED SPOT

You could fit Earth into it 3 times. It resides between opposing jet streams in Jupiter's southern hemisphere. It is several degrees warmer than its surroundings. It spins counter-clockwise (except for the center, which spins slowly clockwise). It has existed for at least hundreds of years. It's darker red colored center and reason for being are not fully understood. My theory: a manifestation of magnetic energy perhaps related to its magnetic "tether" to the Sun.

9.01.2011

SOLAR CYCLE SHIFTING TO MAXIMUM PHASE

119 sunspots as of today ... transition begins to Solar Maximum - with a peak around 2013

GOB-SMACKING RATE OF ICE MELT IN GREENLAND

2nd giant ice island due to melt away much quicker than scientists expected (link has pics and video) - here