Key Takeaways:
- Jupiter's atmospheric banding is a product of the interplay between diverse chemical compositions and differential wind speeds.
- The banded appearance of Jupiter's atmosphere is generated by the movement of clouds and gases.
- Jupiter's atmosphere is primarily composed of hydrogen, with ammonia constituting the visible cloud formations.
- Minor constituents, beyond hydrogen and ammonia, are present within Jupiter's atmospheric composition.
Jupiter’s striped atmosphere results from the interaction of different chemicals and varying wind patterns. NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
Clouds and gases flowing in Jupiter’s atmosphere (and those of the other giant planets as well) create the banded patterns.
Most of Jupiter’s atmosphere is hydrogen and the visible clouds are thought to be ammonia, but there are traces of other chemical compounds.
