South polar map of Jupiter. Polar stereographic projection of the southern hemisphere of Jupiter, obtained in December 2000 as the Cassini spacecraft
South polar map of Jupiter. Polar stereographic projection of the southern hemisphere of Jupiter, obtained in December 2000 as the Cassini spacecraft passed the planet on its way to Saturn. The projection is centred on Jupiter's South Pole, extending down to the planet's equator. The map shows detailed cloud features and vortices, including reddish-brown and white bands. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It has a diameter of around 140,000 kilometres, more than ten times that of Earth. It is a gas giant and is mostly hydrogen and helium. Its clouds are coloured by trace chemical elements and blown by high winds to form bands and long-lived storm systems such as the Great Red Spot (upper left). Image data obtained by Cassini's narrow-angle camera. For the northern hemisphere, see image C030/3942.
Size: 2953px × 2953px
Photo credit: © NASA/JPL/SPACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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