Abstract
CHANGES ON JUPITER.—Observers appear to be fairly well agreed on the character of the recent variations in some of the more prominent and durable of Jovian features. The Rev. T. E. R. Phillips, who has devoted much attention to Jupiter's appearance in recent years, says that the opposition of 1918–19 will be a memorable one. To his eye “the south tropical disturbance and the hollow in the southern belt have practically disappeared, but the red spot remains quite distinct on a night of good definition.” The changes which have affected this particular region of the surface have been rapid and most remarkable. Mr. Phillips employs two instruments, one a 12½-in. reflector and the other an 8-in. refractor. He regards it as likely to afford much satisfaction to observers that the red spot continues to retain a definitely elliptical outline, for the obliteration of this familiar marking would be regarded as a great loss by all students of the planet. That this object may at some future time regain its former (1878–80) conspicuous aspect is quite possible, and it should be attentively watched for changes of both shape and motion.
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Our Astronomical Column . Nature 103, 152–153 (1919). https://doi.org/10.1038/103152a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/103152a0