A burst of solar wind has triggered a planet-wide heatwave in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere, according to astronomers at the University of Reading, UK. The hot region, which had a temperature of over 750 K, propagated at thousands of kilometres per hour and stretched halfway around the planet. This phenomenon is the first of its kind to be observed on a giant planet, and it suggests that the Sun can drive dramatic, global changes in Jupiter’s atmosphere.
Forecast for 6 months: Increased solar activity is expected to lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves on Jupiter, potentially affecting the planet’s magnetic field and aurorae.
Forecast for 1 year: As scientists continue to study the phenomenon, they may discover more instances of solar wind-driven heatwaves on Jupiter, leading to a greater understanding of the planet’s atmospheric dynamics.
Forecast for 5 years: The discovery of solar wind-driven heatwaves on Jupiter may lead to a reevaluation of the planet’s energy balance and potentially shed light on the atmospheric dynamics of other gas giants in our solar system.
Forecast for 10 years: As our understanding of Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics improves, scientists may be able to predict and prepare for more frequent and intense solar wind-driven heatwaves, potentially leading to breakthroughs in space weather forecasting.
