Astronomers Observe Colossal Saturn Storm

July 6, 2011 4:14 PM

The huge storm churning through the atmosphere in Saturn’s northern hemisphere overtakes itself as it encircles the planet in this true-color view from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. (NASA/JPL)

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Cassini Spacecraft, Saturn

LOS ANGELES (AP) – It began as a bright white dot in Saturn’s northern hemisphere. Within days, the dot grew larger and stormier.

Soon the tempest enveloped the ringed planet, triggering lightning flashes thousands of times more intense than on Earth.

The international Cassini spacecraft and ground telescopes have been tracking the turbulence since last December, visible from Earth as a type of storm known as a “Great White Spot.”

“It’s still going like crazy,” said Cassini project scientist Linda Spilker of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

>> Listen: Cassini Spacecraft Records Saturn Lightning

Such planet-wide weather disturbances are rare on Saturn, where the atmosphere is typically hazy and calm. Since 1876, astronomers have observed only five other megastorms on Saturn.

“This is a one-of-a-kind storm,” said Andrew Ingersoll, a self-described planetary weatherman at the California Institute of Technology, who was part of the discovery team.

Scientists have long studied weather on other planets. One of the solar system’s most famous landmarks is Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, a hurricane-like storm that has been raging for centuries. Landers and rovers to Mars’ surface often carried weather stations, dodged dust storms and sought favorable places to park during the winter.

An instrument aboard Cassini, which is orbiting Saturn, first picked up radio outbursts on Dec. 5, 2010 from a lightning storm. Around the same time, amateur astronomers peering through telescopes saw a bright point in Saturn’s northern half. Further observations confirmed it was a brewing storm.

The storm system, which occurred during the start of Saturn spring, grew in size and intensity, eventually stretching around the planet. Scientists don’t exactly know what stirs up the storms, but they think it could be linked to the change of seasons.

At the height of the storm, Cassini detected 10 lightning strikes per second. Scientists said the electrical activity emitted by the bursts were 10,000 times stronger than lightning on Earth.

The findings were described in two papers published in Thursday’s issue of the journal Nature.

The new work represents “some of the most detailed observations so far of such a dramatic event,” Peter Read of the University of Oxford wrote in an accompanying editorial.

Saturn’s violent weather differs from Earth and Jupiter in significant ways. Lightning storms on Earth tend to be localized and short-lived, lasting only a few hours. Jupiter storms can last for days and lightning is far more common there than on Saturn.

Since entering orbit around Saturn in 2004, Cassini has witnessed 10 storms in a region of the southern hemisphere known as “storm alley” because of the high level of storm activity.

The previous storms were much weaker compared with the latest one, the first to be detected in the northern hemisphere.

Astronomers Observe Colossal Saturn Storm

bob

Emergency immigration legistlation is desperately needed to allow refugees from Saturn to enter the US. Where they will immediately enroll in welfare and register to vote as Democrats.
grunk

Let’s build some windmills!
WD

They will be naming this white spot “The Lewinski”
Luker

Looks like a hot spot, possibly volcanic, causing convection. Add in the dust, of the eruption, and you get friction lightning. Add in rotation and atmospheric winds and you get the trailing of the clouds. If it were just a storm, it would be moving at the same speed as the atmosphere, keeping it’s shape like the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, or Hurricanes on Earth.
slk

Where the hell is The Gore Monger?? Has to be a Global warming Hoax!!
Harry Boughner

I’ve got a bunch of old vinyl record albums that sound just like that recording.
Mearsh

Must be global warming……….

Umbalaba

THAT’S WHAT I WAS THINKING!
JMD

ANTHROPOMORPHIC Global Warming. Hey Al, how about another science fiction movie? “Hide the decline.”

http://777denny.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/gop-congressman-says-obama-debt-ceiling-hike-would-be-an-impeachable-act-amid-adobe-expert-showing-obama-birth-certificate-100-forged-as-saturn-storms-up/ GOP Congressman Says Obama Debt Ceiling Hike Would Be An “Impeachable Act,” Amid Adobe Expert Showing Obama Birth Certificate “100% Forged,” As Saturn Storms Up « Gospel of Yahusha Ha'Mashiach, The Gift of Eternal Life

[...] And finally, this article shows that astronomers are observing a colossal Saturn storm. [...]
http://www.jungleapocalypse.com/featured/astronomers-watch-saturn-mega-storm-that-unleashes-lightning-10000-times-more-powerful-than-earths/ Astronomers watch Saturn mega-storm that unleashes lightning 10,000 times more powerful than Earths

[...] Astronomers Observe Colossal Saturn Storm « CBS Sacramento. Reader [...]
Freon Mcgiggles

How can a simple observation of a storm on another planet turn into a political debate? Why? Really.

JMD

Because fraudulent political hacks are masquerading as “scientists” for profit. Boy, are you isolated from events. “Hide the decline.”

Freon Mcgiggles

Look JMD, it’s obvious that you didn’t read the story. It has nothing to do with politics and you know it. The story was about a storm on saturn that is visible through a telescope. You could probably go into your backyard and see it for yourself. You’re one of these people that enjoy getting on discussion forums and naysaying what you call bad science when you know nothing about it. This particular story cannot be refuted because you can see it with a telescope. Grow up.

JMD

You’re right. I’m sorry. I can sometimes be a fool.
http://www.poweroftheweb.net/saturn-oblah-blah-tsa-epic-flooding-locusts-hands-in-my-pants/ Saturn – Oblah Blah – TSA – Epic Flooding – Locusts – Hands in my Pants…. : poweroftheweb.net

[...] Astronomers Observe Colossal Saturn Storm http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/07/06/astronomers-observe-colossal-saturn… [...]
http://blog.imva.info/world-affairs/solar-system-weather-report Solar System Weather Report | Dr. Mark's Blog

[...] CBS News said, “It began as a bright white dot in Saturn’s northern hemisphere. Within days, the dot grew larger and stormier. Soon the tempest enveloped the ringed planet, triggering lightning flashes thousands of times more intense than on Earth.” [...]
http://zenobiusz.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/to-nas-czekao-tymod-miesiecy-uprzedzam/ To nas czeka,o tym,od miesięcy, uprzedzam.!! « Zenobiusz's Blog

[...] 7 lipca 2011 - LOS ANGELES (AP) – Zaczął się jako jasna plamka biała na północnej półkuli Saturna. W ciągu kilku dni, kropka stawały się coraz większe i stormier. Wkrótce ogarnęła burza planetę z pierścieniami, powodując tysiące błyskawice razy bardziej intensywne niż na Ziemi. Międzynarodowych sonda Cassini i teleskopów naziemnych śledzili turbulencji od grudnia, widoczne z Ziemi jako rodzaj burzy znany jako „Great Spot White.” „To wciąż będzie jak szalony”, powiedział Cassini projektu naukowiec Linda Spilker z NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Takie całej planecie zaburzenia pogody są rzadkie na Saturnie, gdzie atmosfera jest zwykle mgliste i spokoju. Od 1876 roku astronomowie zaobserwowali tylko pięć innych mega-sztormów na Saturnie. ”To jest jedyny w swoim rodzaju burzy, ”powiedział Andrew Ingersoll, siebie opisuje planetarnych pogodę w California Institute of Technology, który był częścią zespołu odkrycia. Instrumentu na pokładzie sondy Cassini, która jest wokół Saturna, pierwszy podniósł wybuchów radiowych na 05 grudnia 2010 od burzy. W tym samym czasie, astronomów-amatorów patrząc przez teleskopy zobaczył jasny punkt w północnej części Saturna. Dalsze obserwacje potwierdziły, że to burza piwa. System burzy, która miała miejsce podczas startu Saturn wiosną, wzrosła wielkość i intensywność, w końcu rozciąganie wokół planety. Naukowcy nie wiedzą dokładnie, co budzi burze, ale uważają, że może to być związane ze zmianą pór roku. Na wysokości burzy, Cassini wykryto 10 piorun uderzy na sekundę. Naukowcy stwierdzili, że aktywność elektryczna emitowane przez wybuchy były 10000 razy silniejsze niż błyskawica na Ziemi. Wyniki zostały opisane w dwóch artykułach opublikowanych w kwestii czwartek czasopisma Nature. - CBS News [...]
Taxpayer

Gays on Saturn kicking up some dust because the Saturn Supreme Court ruled “gay” and “marriage” constitute a contradiction in terms.
http://ascendingstarseed.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/saturn%e2%80%99s-superstorm-earth-not-the-only-planet-climate-becoming-more-turbulent/ Saturn’s superstorm: Earth not the only planet climate becoming more turbulent « 2012 The Awakening

[...] July 7, 2011 – LOS ANGELES (AP) – It began as a bright white dot in Saturn’s northern hemisphere. Within days, the dot grew larger and stormier. Soon the tempest enveloped the ringed planet, triggering lightning flashes thousands of times more intense than on Earth. The international Cassini spacecraft and ground telescopes have been tracking the turbulence since last December, visible from Earth as a type of storm known as a “Great White Spot.” “It’s still going like crazy,” said Cassini project scientist Linda Spilker of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Such planet-wide weather disturbances are rare on Saturn, where the atmosphere is typically hazy and calm. Since 1876, astronomers have observed only five other mega-storms on Saturn. “This is a one-of-a-kind storm,” said Andrew Ingersoll, a self-described planetary weatherman at the California Institute of Technology, who was part of the discovery team. An instrument aboard Cassini, which is orbiting Saturn, first picked up radio outbursts on Dec. 5, 2010 from a lightning storm. Around the same time, amateur astronomers peering through telescopes saw a bright point in Saturn’s northern half. Further observations confirmed it was a brewing storm. The storm system, which occurred during the start of Saturn spring, grew in size and intensity, eventually stretching around the planet. Scientists don’t exactly know what stirs up the storms, but they think it could be linked to the change of seasons. At the height of the storm, Cassini detected 10 lightning strikes per second. Scientists said the electrical activity emitted by the bursts were 10,000 times stronger than lightning on Earth. The findings were described in two papers published in Thursday’s issue of the journal Nature. –CBS News [...]
Marianne Eileen Medlock

Unusual weather not restricted to Earth.
http://theintelhub.com/2011/07/11/solar-system-weather-report/ Solar System Weather Report :

[...] CBS News said, “It began as a bright white dot in Saturn’s northern hemisphere. Within days, the dot grew larger and stormier. Soon the tempest enveloped the ringed planet, triggering lightning flashes thousands of times more intense than on Earth.” [...]
http://sleepwalkings.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/informe-del-tiempo-del-sistema-solar-super-tormenta-en-saturno-%c2%bfconectada-a-elenin/ Informe del tiempo del sistema solar: Súper tormenta en saturno ¿Conectada a Elenin? « En lucha constante contra el NWO…

[...] CBS News dijo, “Comenzó como un punto blanco y brillante en el hemisferio norte de Saturno. A los pocos días, el punto se hizo más grande y tormentoso. Pronto la tempestad envolvió al planeta de los anillos, lo que provocó relámpagos que son miles de veces más intensos que en la Tierra. “ [...]
http://maestroviejo.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/informe-del-tiempo-del-sistema-solar-super-tormenta-en-saturno-%c2%bfconectada-a-elenin/ Informe del tiempo del sistema solar: Súper tormenta en saturno ¿Conectada a Elenin? « Maestroviejo's Blog

[...] CBS News dijo, “Comenzó como un punto blanco y brillante en el hemisferio norte de Saturno. A los pocos días, el punto se hizo más grande y tormentoso. Pronto la tempestad envolvió al planeta de los anillos, lo que provocó relámpagos que son miles de veces más intensos que en la Tierra. “ [...]
http://libertadparalahumanidad.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/informe-del-tiempo-del-sistema-solar-super-tormenta-en-saturno-%c2%bfconectada-a-elenin/ Informe del tiempo del sistema solar: Súper tormenta en saturno ¿Conectada a Elenin? «

[...] CBS News dijo, “Comenzó como un punto blanco y brillante en el hemisferio norte de Saturno. A los pocos días, el punto se hizo más grande y tormentoso. Pronto la tempestad envolvió al planeta de los anillos, lo que provocó relámpagos que son miles de veces más intensos que en la Tierra. “ [...]
http://zonaparanormal2012.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/elenin-y-la-tormeta-de-saturno-%c2%bftuvo-algo-que-ver/ Elenin y la Tormeta de Saturno ¿Tuvo algo que ver? « Zona Paranormal

[...] CBS News dijo, “Comenzó como un punto blanco y brillante en el hemisferio norte de Saturno. A los pocos días, el punto se hizo más grande y tormentoso. Pronto la tempestad envolvió al planeta de los anillos, lo que provocó relámpagos que son miles de veces más intensos que en la Tierra. “ [...]
http://quinazagga.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/2331/ « phantasypublishing

[...] CBS News said, “It began as a bright white dot in Saturn’s northern hemisphere. Within days, the dot grew larger and stormier. Soon the tempest enveloped the ringed planet, triggering lightning flashes thousands of times more intense than on Earth.” [...]
http://www.pakalertpress.com/2011/07/19/solar-system-weather-report-super-storm-on-saturn-connected-to-elenin/ Solar System Weather Report: Super Storm on Saturn — Connected to Elenin? | Pakalert Press

[...] CBS News said, “It began as a bright white dot in Saturn’s northern hemisphere. Within days, the dot grew larger and stormier. Soon the tempest enveloped the ringed planet, triggering lightning flashes thousands of times more intense than on Earth.” [...]
http://dev.drsircus.com/medicine/solar-system-weather-report Solar System Weather Report | Dr. Sircus

[...] CBS News said, “It began as a bright white dot in Saturn’s northern hemisphere. Within days, the dot grew larger and stormier. Soon the tempest enveloped the ringed planet, triggering lightning flashes thousands of times more intense than on Earth.” [...]