Hubble detects 10-sided cloud wave at Saturn's south pole
NASA has discovered a new cloud wave, called a decagon, in Saturn's southern hemisphere using Hubble data.
According to NASA's announcement, a massive 10-sided cloud wave has been identified around Saturn's south pole using Hubble Space Telescope data, marking the first regular jet stream pattern observed in the planet's south.
Details of the Discovery
According to NASA's statement, examinations carried out using Hubble Space Telescope data identified a massive 10-sided cloud wave called a decagon around Saturn's south pole. The research stated that this cloud pattern is the first regular jet stream model ever observed in the planet's southern hemisphere.
Observation Process
By examining data obtained under Hubble's Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy program, it was understood that the structure began forming starting in 2023. It was first noticed in ground-based telescope images by researcher Agustin Sanchez-Lavega from the University of the Basque Country in Spain and amateur astronomers.
Similarity to the Northern Hexagon
It was noted that the imaged structure bears similarities to the famous hexagonal cloud pattern that has persisted at Saturn's north pole for over 40 years, though it differs in terms of its recent formation. Researchers are closely monitoring the evolution of the structure.
Future Studies
Researchers announced that observations will continue with Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope to understand whether the cloud pattern will eventually transform into a permanent structure like the northern hexagon or continue to change.