EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Jupiter’s appearance is a tapestry of colorful cloud bands and spots. The gas planet likely has three distinct cloud layers in its “skies” that, taken together, span about 44 miles (71 kilometers). The top cloud is probably made of ammonia ice, while the middle layer is likely made of ammonium hydrosulfide crystals.

Detailed explanation-2: -The upper ammonia clouds visible at Jupiter’s surface are organized in a dozen zonal bands parallel to the equator and are bounded by powerful zonal atmospheric flows (winds) known as jets.

Detailed explanation-3: -Atmosphere and Weather: Jupiter’s extremely dense and relatively dry atmosphere is composed of a mixture of hydrogen, helium and much smaller amounts of methane and ammonia. The same mixture of elements which made Jupiter also made the Sun.

Detailed explanation-4: -While there is water and other chemical elements such as molecular hydrogen and helium in Jupiter’s clouds, ammonia is the “antifreeze” that keeps water in those upper atmospheric clouds from freezing entirely.

Detailed explanation-5: -The boundaries of the zones and belts (called bands) display complex turbulence and vortex phenomenon. Note: Upward moving gases in Jupiter’s atmosphere bring white clouds of ammonia/water ice from lower layers.